No, not the rather enjoyable Disney movie, but an armed cavalry charge, right up to the noses of the watching spectators, fully costumed, in unison, terrifying, awesome and spectacular simultaneously.
What is Fantasia in Morocco?
Several countries perform Fantasia (Tbourida in Moroccan Darija) to the delight of their audiences, but the tradition originated in Morocco, as confirmed in 2021 when UNESCO inscribed Tbourida onto their Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, where UNESCO stated the phenomenon originated in Morocco during the 16th century.
Tbourida Fantasia in Morocco was the seventeenth-century Moroccan Arabic word describing a cavalry charge, a raiding party, or a victory celebration carried out by Berber forces and desert nomads.
The word tbourida comes from the Arabic “baroud” which means gunpowder. “Fantasia” has its roots in Latin, where it means “entertainment”, or more recently an origin in Latin-based languages such as Spanish and Italian in which it means “fantasy”. Fantasia was also a word used to describe the tbourida by French Orientalists before and during the French colonial occupation of Morocco.
A fantasia is a simulation of cavalry parades, conducted according to ancient Amazigh (Berber)/ Arab rituals and rules. A tbourida is carried out by a troupe that always has an odd number of horses, usually between fifteen and twenty-five. The riders will usually perform ablutions and prayers beforehand, to add a spiritual significance to proceedings, and then the mounts are set up in a straight line by their skillful riders with the troupe leader, called the Mokaddem, at the centre.
Following the leader’s commands, the event is split into two segments, firstly, a salute or hadda, where the riders trot about performing a synchronised weapons drill and then go back into their original straight-line starting position. The second part is the taiga where all the horses and riders charge at a gallop down the straight track, known as a Mahrak, usually about two-hundred metres long, discharging a round of blank ammunition from their rifles into the air at the end of it, which represents the soldiers leaving for a battle. The skill lies in keeping the line straight during the charge and firing the single shot simultaneously so that only one explosion is heard.
The weapons used are muskets and old-style muzzle-loading rifles. Accurate period costumes and accessories are worn, such as turban, loose-fitting clothing and babouche; the traditional slippers. Each rider will also be carrying a miniature copy of the Quran and an Arab-style sword. The horses are also attired in bridles, saddles and had-sewn material according to ancient custom.
The horses should be stallions and of ancient Arab, Barb or Andalusian lineage. Each different tribe and region has its own particular style of dress, and all of this is passed on within family groups from generation to generation through teaching, oral tradition and observation.
Fantasia is of great cultural significance, is a form of skilled martial art, and exhibits the strong personal relationship and complete trust between the rider and the horse. In 2003, the Moroccan Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries created the SOREC to ensure the preservation and promotion of tbourida and fantasia in the country. SOREC says there are approximately a thousand fantasia troupes active in Morocco.
Where and When Can I See a Tbourida/Fantasia?
Many North African countries have a tradition of fantasia including Algeria, Libya, Mali, Mauretania, Niger and Tunisia, but Morocco is now claimed to be its place of origin. Some historians suggest its genesis lies in ancient Numidian tradition and that the more recent Maghrebi Fantasia is just a more recent and rather diluted version of a rather violent Numidian cavalry charge.
Today, we can watch a Fantasia in Morocco at performances for tourists, cultural events, and some wedding festivities. They are often seen at regional seasonal, often agriculturally related occasions, as well as religious events such as moussems which are Saint’s Day celebrations, and national holidays.
In the Middle Atlas Mountains, the Zayan tribe has virgin women on horseback leading the procession at the start of the Fantasia. The Berber men follow behind. The men then take their positions in a straight line, push their knees forward whilst digging their heels into the horses’ flanks and then stand up in their stirrups adopting a fighting pose.
Roughly 300 Fantasia troupes, called serba, compete annually to win the Hassan II National Tbourida Trophy. Regional qualifying rounds occur first with the winners competing in the finals which take place in El Jadida, a coastal city about 200 km southeast of Casablanca, during the national Week of the Horse. The competing teams are judged on the costumes of the men and horses, their speed, and how well-synchronised they are. This festival is usually held in October, after the summer heat has dissipated, and the whole city is transformed into a medieval wonderland.
Another similar competition is held every year in Tissa, between Fes and Taounate in the Rif Mountains.
In the Imperial City of Meknes, possibly the birthplace of Tbourida, a Fantasia is held every July; the Aiin Aouda Mock Horseback Battle. This event is noticeably different in that it involves hundreds of riders, both men and women and is quite a sight to behold.
In July, regular Fantasias are held outside the city walls of Marrakech near Bab Jdid. Chez Ali, a restaurant in the city, also holds Fantasias, along with firework displays, Berber singing and dancing in which tourists are encouraged to participate, and a meal of harira spicy soup, couscous and the delicious roasted lamb dish, “mishwi”.
Ask your tour operator and they will be happy to arrange for you to enjoy a spectacular event.
Other Fantastic Fantasia Facts.
Many Moroccan artists paint action scenes from a Fantasia. These are popular acquisitions for tourists and locals alike and can often be seen adorning the walls in riads, hotels, and restaurants.
A Berber saying is, “Only men and virgin women are allowed to ride these magnificent animals”, as the horses are of pure, thoroughbred stock and it is said that non-virginal women would negatively affect the stallion, causing it to lose speed and strength.
