The moussem festival that takes place in Essaouira is called Moussem Regraga. The moussem is a religious festival, but also a trade fair and an opportunity for the Moroccan people to come together and share their cultural identity.
The Moussem is a festival of religious origins , which over time has become a commercial fair and an opportunity for the Moroccan people to gather and share their cultural identity . The days of celebration are often accompanied by equestrian games, horse shows, and cultural ceremonies typical of Morocco.
The days on which the various Moussems are held are based on the Islamic calendar, so they can be held in different months each year.
The celebrations have a religious origin and background, as they are mostly cultural events celebrating Muslim saints, but they also have a secular side, as they celebrate the harvest and are closely linked to nature.
The origin of the name comes from the word waad which means "meeting" and "gathering" , while the name Raqb indicates the pedestrian and equestrian procession of the faithful , coming from every Moroccan locality towards the place of the customary or ritual celebration.
The Moussem Regraga in Essaouira
The Moussem festival involving Essaouira is called Moussem Regraga . The latter, It begins every year with the spring equinox. For 40 days, the community makes a circular pilgrimage through the Chiadma region (located between Safi and Essaouira, along the Atlantic coast). Their entry into the city of Essaouira, in particular, is a memorable celebration, one that has been celebrated for centuries.
The procession, passing in front of 44 marabouts erected in memory of the saints of the region, brings together pilgrims and inhabitants who declare themselves members of the brotherhood in a great celebration, which is precisely the Moussem.
In the shade of their tents in the Essaouira countryside, the Regraga celebrate the journey of their ancestors , the region's Muslim pioneers. During a grand celebration punctuated by socio-cultural events, these heirs of the first Berbers who went to meet the Prophet celebrate what marked the early days of Islam in the Essaouira region.
The Regraga procession enters Essaouira through the Doukkala Gate . Amid cheers, offerings, and celebrations, their arrival is accompanied by great popular and fraternal fervor . Here, as elsewhere on their journey, the pilgrims bring good luck and bring the community together in an atmosphere of celebration and joy, also celebrating the renewal of spring.
This year, the big party in Essaouira will be held on June 24th, 25th and 26th.
Celebrate the Regraga Moussem at Ranch de Diabat
Friday, June 24, 2022
Sunset Dromedary Tour, 2 hours →
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June
Tour of the Festival, accompanied by the Ranch staff.
For info → Erika +212 613 049 107
