A popular Moroccan Nomads Festival which was rested two years ago following the global outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic has returned.
The festival, which normally holds deep in the desert lasting three days, is aimed at “keeping alive the old ways in a fast moving society dominated by new technology”, according Festival Director, Nourredine Bougrab.
The annual event is taking place in the small town of Mhamid El Ghizlane in southeast Morocco,
famous for its rich heritage and legendary hospitality.
“The international nomads festival is looking to connect with various activities all linked to nomadism,” Bougrab said.
“This festival is coming back this year with a rich programme: exhibitions and activities all linked to nomadism such as the camels race and preparing then cooking bread loaves in the sand,” he said during the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
Going by the history of the festival, the event is central to nomadic culture of the camel, an animal that played a major role both in war and establishing trade routes through the desert.
“It’s thanks to camels that the Arab and Islamic culture was spread over the Sahara, from Essaouira to Cairo and Tangier to Timbuktu. For me, the role of the camel is endless. The camel keeps the nomads heritage alive,” according to the Director.
“Since the year 2000, it was made an intangible heritage by the UNESCO,” Issa Dicko, Director of the Tumast Cultural Centre in Bamako, Mali, a special guest of honour at the festival added.
“For the first time, the festival invited three storytellers from Mali, France and Morocco who captivated the audience with their tales.
“Nomads and the Moroccan society in general, were basing the education of their families and children on storytelling. At night, the grandma used to gather her family to tell them stories she learnt herself from her mother and grandmother
She was telling them stories full of strong messages”, said Moroccan storyteller, Nabila El Fahmy said.