If there is something we can compare to a moussem, it is the kind of celebration which is called a « pardon » in Brittany : a celebration at first religious, to honour a saint, a « Sidi », a « Marabout », but also a simple celebration, and also a fair, as all the people are gathered together, sometimes travelled from far away, it’s an opportunity to trade and exchange.
Small and limited to a doyar, or very large, with a international reputation, like the Betrothal moussem in Imilchil, or the Moussem of the Roses, one moussem comes after another, most often in the south of Morocco, linked to this tradition of the zawyias, of which some had a huge influence through the whole Arabic world.

The Zaouïa is a spiritual Sufi centre, where spiritual practices are followed, where the holy founders of the community are buried. The Zaouïa was founded by one or several religious men, respected, a Sidi, who is celebrated during the moussem.

What you can see there :

Ahaouache : it’s the traditional Berber dance, through all the South and the Middle-Atlas. Women, in their best clothes, with silks shawls and silver jewels, make a large circle and dance on the rhythm made by the men, who are grouped in the centre of the circle, with large and heavy drums. The whole group is directed by a Raïs. Other variants exist, where women and men are dancing in two facing lines, or in two circles that weaves around without mixing.

The Sabre dance, in Zagora, where two dancers supported by musicians are acting a fight.
Another war dance, the Taskiwine, or the art of vibrating the shoulders on the rhythms of the Taârijas (tambourines). Men are carrying powder horns, red slings, and evolve in time.

The Guedra, an old dance where a kneeling woman dances on the rhythm of a big drum and mimics the feelings of daily life.

Another dance where men and women meet is the dagger’s dance.

Finally, a very original group, the Gnawas, descending of the former black slaves. They put the fire on the floor, with the Hajhouj, the Tbel and the l’Graquebs. They dance the Kuyas and sing in a African-Arabic dialect, calling the saints and the spirits. Their dances and percussions reminds their suffering, when they were curved under iron links. They are given mystical powers, and their music can put you into trance

Source : Délégation Culturelle de Ouarzazate - Mohammed Amzile

It traditionally takes place in the second week-end of May. The streets of Kelaa T’Mgouna are filled with music groups, sabre dancers, ahaouache singers, gnawas, who all follow the floats procession, headed by Malika t’Al Ouarda, the Queen of the Roses, local equivalent of the Queen of the Carnival in Nizza.

Nowadays, it’s a very well organized and structured celebration, attended by all officials. But remain untouched the pleasure to mix within the gaudy, noisy and happy crowd, to enjoy the quality of the shows, to wander in the souk that has flooded all the streets.
It is better to arrive a few days in advance, to enjoy the gardens of roses in the valley. The very day of the moussem, all roses are cut, and the flower collars that you get proposed for a few dirhams do not replace the flourishing beauty of the blossomed rose-bushes.

The exact time of the festival depends on the harvest, and is known with certainty only two or three weeks ago. If you want to be sure to attend the moussem, plan your trip with a large security margin, and check the date at the last minute.

Aït Ibrahim and Aït Yaaza were two parts of the Aït Hadiddou tribe, at war one against the other. But, once upon a time, says the legend, a young Aït Yaaza girl fall in love with a beautiful young Aït Ibrahim (or Aït Brahim) man. Romeo and Juliet in the High-Atlas, they met the same tragic destiny, to dye without being allowed to love themselves, and to get married. They cried over, they cried all the tears of their bodies, they cried a river that created the twin lakes of Isli (the Groom) and Tislit (The Bride). Their parents, repentant, decided that once a year, young girls and young men could choose freely and that those who would decide to get married during the moussem would have no obstacle to fight.

“Since”, and every year, the Betrothals Moussem happens in Imilchil, or, more precisely, in Aït Ameur, now at the end of August. It is the very big celebration of the Aït Haddidou, a tribe that still includes numerous nomads, and all events of familial life, circumcisions, betrothals, weddings, happen in these three days.

Located in an extraordinary landscape, this moussem, still a traditional one, in spite of the tourists, is a must.
Once again, check the exact dates, that are known quite late

In the neighbourhood of Sidi Daoud, near Ouarzazate’s medina, this moussem links a pilgrimage, a craftsmen souk, and numerous songs and dances.

One of the big moussem in the South, which takes place every year during the summer, in the month of August.

Bofore 2006, iIn October, after the harvest (so once again a moussem which exact date is not known well in advance), during three days long, one celebrated the harvest and this fruit so delicious for Moroccans. Dates were the daily treat, the fruit eaten with sour milk when breaking the fast in Ramadan, and the energetic ailment taken during travels. Some sorts can be stored for years without deteriorating… but become so hard that they must be ground, or soaked very long into water to be eatable !

Under Berber tents specially brought up, you could enjoy dates and mint tea, of course, as well as the specialty of Erfoud, kahlia, a tajine made with grinded lamb, eggs, tomatoes, onions, pepperonis and no less than 44 spices !

On the third and last day, not to be missed for any reason, the camel race took its start in Merzouga dunes.

Unfortunatly, in 2006, everything changed, and not for the good. The moussem became an "international Fair", was advanced to mid-september, and, according to the authority "social aspects of the moussem were abandonned to concentrate on its commercial goals".

Also not to be forgotten :
Classical Music festival in Fès : first week-end of May.
The Symphonies of the Desert, in Ouarzazate : June
Cherries Fair in Séfrou (Province of Fès) : June
Popular Arts Festival in Marrakech : June
Holy Music Festival in Fès : June
Gnawas Festival in Essaouira : June
Camels Fair in Guelmim : July
Cultural Festival of Asilah : August
Moussem Moulay Abdellah in El Jedida : August
Moussem Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (province of Meknès) : August
Festival in Agadir : December
Clementines’ Feast in Berkane, near Oujda : November
Raï and popular Arts Festival in Saïdia : from 1st to 15th of August
Lakes Festival in Dayet Aoua (Iffrane), beginning of July.

• 1st January : New Year
• 11th January : Manifest of the Independance
• 1st May : Working Day
• 30th July : Throne Celebration
• 14th August : Celebration of the allegiance of oued Eddahab (no bank holiday)
• 20th August : Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People. It commemorates Sultan Mohammed V’s deportation, after him being destitute by the French authorities, in 1953. This event triggered a surge of nationalism from all Moroccans deeply shocked by this measure.
• 21st August : Birthday of King Mohammed VI.
• 6th November : Anniversary of the Green Walk. This large manifestation of some 350.000 “voluntaries” started in 1975 the claim of Morocco over Occidental Sahara.
• 18 th November : Independence Celebration. It does not celebrate the end of the “Protection” by France, but the triumphant return from exile of King Mohammed V in 1955, after his destitution and forced stay in Madagascar.

Religious Celebration (Variable dates depending on the Muslim calendar)

• Ras El Am, the first day of the Hegira, the Muslim New Year. 31st January 2006, or 1st Muharram. 2006 corresponds to year 1427 for the Muslims. This day is celebrated not as the beginning of the year, but as a commemoration of the Hegira.
• 10th Muharram, Achoura, Day of the Deads, and commemoration of the crossing of the Red Sea and the Miracle that saved Moses and his followers from Pharaoh. In some places, its rituals are the equivalent of our carnival. The next one will take place on 9th February 2006.
• The Mouloud, of Mohammad’s Birthday (supposed to be born on 20th August 570 AC). Celebrated by processions, conferences and talks about the life of the Prophet. 12 Rabi’ al-awwal, or 11th April 2006.
• Leïla al-Ghaïbah (15th Rajab), anniversary of Mohammad’s conception.
• Leïla al-Miraj (The Night of the travel and the Ascension). Celebration of the journey that Mohammed made from the Mecca to Jerusalem, and from there to the Sky, all in the same night. During this journey, he received the revelation of the five daily prayers. 27th Rajab (1st September 2005).
• Leïla al-Bara'a. Two weeks before Ramadan, Muslims are seeking forgiveness for their sins, and many Muslims believe that, during this night, God decides each man’s destiny for the coming year. The night is spent in prayers, asking God for directions and forgiveness. Some people also fast during this day, 15th Sha’ban, or 19th September 2005.
• Month of Ramadan. The next one will start on October 2005. During the whole month, the entire life is modified, with few activities in the day, because of the strict fasting, and a flair of feast as soon as the night falls.
• Leïla al-Qadr is the Night of the Destiny, when the Holy Quran was revealed, 27th Ramadan, a night of prayer, for a good destiny. It will take place on the 30th October 2005.
• Aïd el Seghir, or Aïd el Fitr, (the “small celebration”, as compared to the Aïd-El-Kebir), marks the end of the fast, and of the month of Ramadan at the same time. 1st and 2nd Chawwal (3rd November), three holidays.
• 9th Dhu Al Hijja the day before the Aïd El Kebir, or day of Arafat. It’s the ninth day in the Mecca pilgrimage, when millions of pilgrims meet on the Arafat mountain and pray for forgiveness and remission.
• Aïd el Kebir, or Aïd el-Adha (the big celebration) commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham. It’s the Feast of the Mutton, when each father must kill a beast. 10th and 11th Dhu al-Hijjah, or 10th and 11th January 2006 (Bank holiday).