National Festival of Fantasia

National Festival of Fantasia

Fantasia is one particularly stunning and exciting event that has taken its rightful place among the more noteworthy examples of traditional folklore in Morocco. There are demonstrations of the popular customs of which Morocco is so famous and which stimulates tourists to come and to see for themselves. This colorful display of horsemanship begins with a procession made up of women from the Zayaan tribe on horseback. Behind them come, their menfolks in groups according to their tribe and bearing each group's emblem. The horsemen line up in close ranks, and no sooner has one wave of riders left than the next is ready to follow; the impression is that of surging waves of galloping hooves. When the riding is over, then another kind of show begins on a platform that has been erected in front of the huge marquees. No show of popular folklore is complete in Morocco without music and dance. The spectator is, needless to say, enthralled by the diversity and richness of costumes and music that stretch back in time for a thousand years. Since September 1977, the National Festival of Fantasia has been held in Meknes.