Manal - Niya (official Music Video) -

This report analyzes the official music video for "" by Moroccan pop artist Manal Benchlikha , released on October 30, 2020. The project is a cinematic tribute to Moroccan cultural heritage, specifically focusing on the 1950s era of the Sheikhats —traditional female folk entertainers. 1. Executive Summary Artist: Manal (Manal Benchlikha). Release Date: October 30, 2020.

Co-directed by Manal and Amira Azzouzi, the video features vivid, carefully curated traditional kaftans and jewelry that symbolize different life stages of a traditional performer.

"Niya" translates to "naive" or "intention" in Arabic, reflecting the protagonist's initially innocent hope for love. MANAL - NIYA (Official Music Video)

Academic analysis highlights the "duality of femininity" in the video—showing it as both joyous/celebratory and painful/burdensome due to societal expectations. 3. Lyrical Themes

Widely acclaimed for its preservation of Moroccan history and has even been used in academic lectures to discuss decolonial feminist critiques. 2. Narrative and Visual Analysis This report analyzes the official music video for

The video is set in a traditional Riad in Marrakech and follows the story of a Sheikha who longs for a marriage that never materializes.

A blend of traditional folk storytelling and modern pop, exploring themes of unrequited love, identity, and female empowerment. Executive Summary Artist: Manal (Manal Benchlikha)

It utilizes "Orientalist" symbols like the veil and Islamic architecture to subvert patriarchal meanings, reclaiming them through a modern Moroccan lens.