Rabat — Kachbal and Zeroual are an iconic Moroccan comedic duo that many Moroccans still love today. Mostly known under their stage names Ali Bachar and Mohammed Bachar, both individuals formed a comedic duo in the 1950s. Both born in 1932, Ali and Mohammed could pass for brothers, when in fact Mohammed is Ali’s nephew.
The comedic duo started their journey by performing in souks and public streets, practicing “l-halqa,” a traditional Moroccan form of storytelling. People would gather around the pair in the region of Chaouia – where they were from and where they first began performing l-halqa.
The duo’s sketches were a mixture of storytelling and music. They often included musical breaks before concluding their sketches to end their shows on a good note. While Kechbal (Ali Bachar) played the laoutar or guembri, Zeroual (Mohammed Bachar) played the bendir. Their gags and song lyrics frequently touched on relatable social issues and everyday trends.
The comedic duo experienced their peak in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, when they performed in large venues for significant audiences and their shows became televised.
Ali and Mohammed Bachar passed away in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The iconic duo will always be remembered for their contribution to Moroccan heritage in both music and comedy. Kachbal and Zeroual set a threshold for comedians in Morocco; to this day, many still hold them as the highest example of stand-up comedy in the country.
