The rural commune of Zaouiat Lekouassem hosted the third edition of the Falconry Festival from 29 to 31 May, marked by the participation of falconers from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The Provincial Association for Cultural Affairs and the Lekouassem Falconers Association of Ouled Frej, in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Culture, organised the third edition of the Falconry Festival from 29 to 31 May in the rural commune of Zaouiat Lekouassem, one of the last bastions of falconry in the country. This exceptional event, organised under the theme "Falconry: ancestral tradition and universal heritage", coincides with the fourth anniversary of the classification of falconry on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It pays tribute to the ancient Lekouassem falconers who have managed to preserve and perpetuate the traces of a centuries-old legacy. It also helps to keep the torch of this tradition, which was once considered lost forever, burning.
Thus, in addition to falconry hunting displays, punctuated by traditional Moroccan music, which were the centrepiece of this inter-Arab event, several other activities took place during these three days celebrating the falcon. The event was also punctuated by falconry exhibitions, two artistic competitions for young beginner and established visual artists around the theme of the falcon, a photography competition on the same theme, in addition to fantasia shows and a Saluki race. Several traditional Moroccan music troupes also took part in the festivities, including Tagada, the Zoubayri group of Aïta Haouzia, Abidate R’ma Siada, Ouled Benagida, the popular arts group of Ouled Frej and the Lalla Manana troupe representing the Sufi Hadra of Larache.
By celebrating the rebirth of falconry in the El Jadida province through this third Festival, the organisers also aspired to bring other aspects of this heritage back to the forefront, notably the know-how regarding hunting instruments, traditional clothing, music, singing, dancing and culinary art, without forgetting the essential horse that once participated in falconry hunting.
Thus, the initiators of this event, notably the researcher in Doukkali popular heritage, Driss Lamrabe, and the president of the Lekouassem Falconers Association, Mohammed El Ghazouani, did not limit themselves to producing the show. They truly involved themselves in the rewriting of an old and beautiful story. The story of a heritage that new generations must understand and of which they must be proud. That of a fabulous episode of our civilisation, which the Lekouassem tribe has managed to preserve despite all the hazards and risks of being forgotten.
