Modern Festivals and Secular Moussems

For centuries, Draa Tafilelt has served as a crossroads for several civilizations. region endowed with a rich culture and spirituality. Furthermore, its grounds are rich in refined regional products that are well-known around the world and are the pride of local inhabitants.

Are you interested in taking a closer look at this cultural and spiritual paradise? Nothing beats the diverse selection of Festivals and Moussems that pays tribute to the Region’s varied characteristics. Let’s take a brief look at the events you should include in your trip calendar.

Local cultures

There are numerous events that highlight local items aiming to promote them. Every October, the International Date Fair in Erfoud, for example, serves as a reminder of the importance of the pheoniciole sector in the oasis economy. While Imaghrane Festival in Ouarzazate aims to promote almonds and walnuts. In that same period, Midelt holds the National Apple Fair, dedicated to the promotion of rosacea fruit, specifically the apple tree.

Several other initiatives, such as the Henna and Cumin Festival in Alnif and the Moussem of Safran in Iknioune, neighboring villages to Tinghir, follow the same concepts.

The Rose Festival marks the blooming of roses in the M’Goun valleys. Locals and visitors walk around Kelaat M’Gouna in a unique atmosphere for several days, sprinkling each other with water and rose petals.

Art of now and then

While the rich culture of Draa-Tafilelt glows around the world, the Region is also a land where art is expressed in all of its forms and from all countries.

This is clearly illustrated through the International Festival of Merzouga, which takes place at the mystical Erg Chebbi to share the magic of the desert through the celebration of global culture. The International Festival of Nomads, held at M’Hamid El Ghizlane at the foot of Erg Chgaga, is similar. The Festival honors the nomadic lifestyle and testifies the attachment to this valuable yet threatened legacy. The Tinghir International Film Festival and the Zagora Trans-Saharan Film Festival both honor cinema.

Every August, the Moussem of Khamlia continues the ancestral tradition of Sadaka (charity) through the music of Gnaoua, present in the region for centuries.

Other events, such as the National Ahwach Festival in Ouarzazate and the Imilchil Festival of Music fly the flag of local heritage. The latter is held concurrently with the famous Imilchil Engagement Moussem, which is held by Lake Tislit every year for centuries to celebrate the union of young lovebirds from the Ait Hdidou tribe.

Did you know?

Draa-Tafilalet is the Land of Saints and Mausoleums (Darihs). It attracts hundreds of Muslim and Jewish pilgrims seeking blessing and contemplation. These pilgrimages are frequently organized as Moussems, which merge culture and spirituality.

Spread across the four corners of the Region, we can mention the Moussems of Abu Salem Ayachi, Oulad Issa Sidi Ben Talha, Sidi El-Haj Ammar, and Moulay Abdelkader Jilali; as well as The Hiloulots of Rabbi Itshak Abihssira in Gourrama, of Rabbi Yahia Ben Baroukh in Tiffoultoute or even of Rabbi David Ou Moshe idolized by Jews and Muslims.