Abstract
This interpretive study examines Tangier as an exemplary site of Mediterranean cultural hybridity, analyzing how its unique position as an International Zone (1923-1956) fostered distinctive forms of transcultural exchange between European, North African, and Middle Eastern influences. Drawing on postcolonial theory, particularly Homi Bhabha’s concept of “third space,” this research investigates how this port city developed complex hybrid identities that challenge conventional cultural boundaries. The study explores how Tangier’s exceptional governance structure—jointly administered by Western powers—created conditions for unconventional cultural formations. Through its vital maritime connections, Tangier became a key node for intercultural contact. Through analysis of literary representations (Bowles, Choukri, Ben Jelloun), syncretic architectural forms blending diverse aesthetics, and cosmopolitan spatial practices, the research demonstrates how Tangier’s liminal position between Africa and Europe generated creative tensions that produced new cultural expressions. The city’s physical location at the Strait of Gibraltar—where Mediterranean and Atlantic waters converge—mirrors its function as a site where diverse cultural traditions negotiated and transformed one another. This liminality manifested in multilingual literary production, hybrid architectural styles, and cosmopolitan social spaces. The research reveals how Tangier’s cosmopolitan character was simultaneously a product of colonial power structures and a space where these structures were subverted through everyday practices. By examining this historical case study, this analysis argues that Tangier offers valuable insights into how maritime connections facilitate cultural hybridity, suggesting alternative frameworks for understanding transcultural identity formation in contemporary Mediterranean contexts.
Presenters
Amal CavenderResearch and Area Studies, Gelman Library, George Washington University, District of Columbia, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cultural hybridity, Transcultural exchange, Urban identity, Postcolonial space
