What is counterculture? It is a subculture that its values and norms differ from the mainstream society. It boomed more in the 1960s all the way to mid-1970s due to psychological effects from politics and music, and when the norms of the 1950s were rejected by youth. You could relate a bit more if you have heard about the hippies in the 1960s.

There are prominent examples of counterculture all over Europe and North America, especially the United Kingdom and the United States; such as protests of civil rights, freedom of speech, anti-war, as well as hippies and glamorization of drugs such as Marijuana and LSD used by the hippies. It then spread throughout Europe where terms like Bohemianism emerged. Some confuse counterculture as a political movement, it is not explicitly political however, it did encourage some political awareness such as the anti-war and anti-nuclear movement.

The Peace sign was first developed as opposition to the Vietnam War

Of course, Middle Eastern countries had to be affected by the huge change going on in the two biggest continents. However, when the counterculture reached Egypt and North Africa, it was closer to the mid-1970s. That was when they started their own version of hippies and bohemians. 

You can easily see that in the fashion sense, music sense and more in other aspects of life. Youth at that time were eager to learn, explore life in all directions, travel the world and come back to share their experiences.

A rock cover band was founded in the mid-60s called Les Petit Chats rocked the musical stage back then. They were extremely popular back then, as famous as The Beatles in Britain. Recently a documentary movie was released after the same name, tracing back the once famous band, who most of them are not famous celebrities and their last reunion concert in 2010.

Les Petits Chats in the 1960s

Also, before the 1960s, women in North Africa dressed modestly, whether it is a full dress or an “Abaya” covering their body with only their face and hands showing. Suddenly, youth started taking off that theme and dressed more provocatively, not only that, they practiced sports, gun-shooting, challenging their male peers.

For example, here is a Syrian girl, who stood against everything to represent her country in hurdling, showing her knees and her hair.

Here is another picture for – believe it or not – Iran in the 1970s. A group of stylish students in their miniskirts studying on campus.

Iranian Students on Campus

I wonder if the North African countries would have a counterculture movement soon, how do you think people will evolve? After the Arab Spring, we definitely need a change.