Political activism and ethnic revival of a cultural symbol

This article discusses the ethnic revival of the Mimouna holiday, a traditional holiday of immigrants from North Africa in Israel. Its revival was one of the main expressions for the ethnic revival of these immigrants after their immigration. The article analyzes the evolution of the Mimouna from an 'unknown' holiday celebrated by only a part of the immigrants from North Africa in a limited ritual system into a very prominent holiday among these immigrants, which was even awarded recognition and prominence in the 'public sphere'. The article focuses on the political activism of party representatives and immigrants from North Africa as the major factor that set in motion the process of the introduction of the Mimouna holiday into the cultural mainstream in Israel.