The rural commune of Moulay Abdellah, in the province of El Jadida, is hosting a new edition of the Moussem of Moulay Abdellah Amghar from 5 to 12 August. This major annual event will be organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by the commune of Moulay Abdellah in collaboration with the province of El Jadida as well as the Provincial Association for Cultural Affairs and the provincial council of El Jadida.
It is in the ancient city of Tit, 10 km south-west of El Jadida, where a sumptuous village of canvases will be set up for the occasion of the great moussem of the Amghariyines, housing the temporary homes of families (more than 23,000 tents). And, along the coastal road, near the "mahrek", the ground for traditional equestrian arts, majestic caidal tents will be erected to welcome riders, guests, and folklore troupes.
This moussem brings together more than 500,000 people who come from all corners of the Kingdom to pay their respects at the tomb of the Saint Moulay Abdellah Amghar, whose sanctuary is meticulously maintained by his descendants. In addition to events of a religious nature, this event also includes cultural, fun, and entertainment activities. Unmissable, the fantasias evoke warrior battles, while folk songs and dances recall the way of entertaining the "fighters". For 7 days, from 9:30 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm until sunset, the 2,000 riders, dazzling in their white djellabas and traditional finery, holding their rifles towards the sky with one hand, will compete in an atmosphere of popular celebration, in order to testify to our attachment to the values of our civilisation and our traditions. Obviously, it is the horse that will be in the spotlight. In addition, a show will punctuate the opening of the festivities with a folk performance of the fantasia, punctuated by folklore troupes (Ghiyata, Issawa, Dakka Marrakchia Gnawa…). Not to mention that nocturnal fantasia shows will also be organised, especially on Saturday 6 August 2016.
The Moussem of Moulay Abdellah Amghar will welcome numerous diplomatic, political, and artistic personalities who will attend the scheduled activities and shows. The artistic evenings will also be very lively throughout the period of the Moussem with a panel of artists and entertainers to accompany the festivities of the Moussem such as Kamal Lâabdi, Ouled Benâguida, Saïd Lakhribgui, Mustapha El Mils, Âbidates Rma Assiyada, Saïd Ouled Houat, Hamid El Mardi, and Abdelâziz Stati. In addition to the shows by these artists scheduled by the organisers, festival-goers will be able to attend open-air "halkas" shows within the "mahrek".
Fantasias, falconry (Lakouassem falconers of Ouled Frej), culinary arts, musical and folk evenings… the pleasure of celebrating under tents, such is the atmosphere that reigns during this Moussem. Let us recall that Moulay Abdallah is located 10 km from El Jadida on the site of the ancient Tit "Aïn El Fitr", the spring where, in the second half of the 11th century, Ismaïl Amghar, an ascetic who lived in Medina in Arabia, and his brothers stopped and walked straight towards the sunset to the Atlantic, on the Moroccan coast. At that time, the Almoravids reigned over the Maghreb. Today, "Tit" is known by the name of Moulay Abdallah Amghar, a son of the founder who created a zaouïa with a second mosque within the enclosure of "Tit" and whose fortifications he completed.
