Tbourida Festival
The art of Tabourida, also known as “fantasy”, is one of the most ancient traditional equestrian arts and the most rooted in the Moroccan cultural heritage and due to its high skill and continuous training, it is one of the most difficult performing arts that adorn celebrations, gatherings and national events.
The core of this show art consists of a group of knights called the “squadron”, dressed in a traditional uniform that reflects the originality of their affiliation and, in particular, Jilbabs. The show begins with the full-fledged “Squadron” standing at the head of the track, where the riders greet the audience with a nod of their heads, followed by a canvas in which the horses perform harmonious dances to the rhythm of enthusiastic folk chants.
Riders in Harmony
After that, the riders and their horses set off at once in a coordinated race along the rectangular track surrounded by the large crowds.at the climax of the show, the riders demonstrate their prowess by performing precise and elaborate movements with their traditional rifles and their horses ‘ bridle, and the scene culminates with a loud and simultaneous collective shot of gunpowder announcing the conclusion of the painting.
The Traditional Dress
The traditional dress of the horse in Moroccan taboureida art is an integral part of the aesthetic of this ancient heritage, as it is characterized by its unified designs that reflect the cultural identity of each region. In the majority of the kingdom’s territories, the dress consists of white robes and a prince, whose elegance is complemented by yellow leather shoes intended for equestrian, known as “tamak”. The Knight is adorned with traditional accessories that give his appearance a special elegance, such as a dagger and a traditional leather bag.
The gunpowder gun is considered the most important part of the art of taborida, it is a basic piece of fantasy gear, and it is made of an iron barrel and red wood. Their decorations vary, which may include copper or silver rings, to reflect the social and economic status of the Knight, or the extent of his passion and fondness for the art of chivalry.
The luxury of the Knight’s appearance is complemented only by the saddle of his horse, which is created by the most skilled traditional craftsmen in the ancient Moroccan cities of kvass, Marrakech, Tangier and other ancient Moroccan tides. These saddles, which are masterpieces in their own right, are distinguished by their colorful decorations, their arsenals, their mounts and belts made with great perfection, to harmonize with the originality and aesthetics of this authentic and ancient Moroccan art
As for the number of Taborid Knights, it is not specific and may reach up to a hundred. They gather in circles around the “Alam”, which is the head of the Taborid squad. They begin to circle around the ring, chanting different phrases with meanings. After that, they direct the rifle fire upwards towards the sky or towards the ground based on the signal of the flag, and the applause intensifies, while the crowd boos, especially the women, who rise whenever the rifle fire is harmonious; it decreases if the fire is scattered and inharmonious.