Women Riders in the Moroccan Fantasia

Horses have long held a special place in the hearts of Moroccans, and a position of honor in the history and culture of Morocco. Tbourida or fantasia, a display of horsemanship which imitates a cavalry charge, is a tribal, rural and religious tradition which has been an integral part of Moroccan culture for centuries, and is still synonymous with popular celebrations. The skills are taught from early childhood, following the Prophet Mohamed's instruction to “teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.”Tbourida is particularly characteristic of moussems, annual celebrations marking sowing or harvest or in honor of particular saints, as for instance in the localities of El Jadida, Azzemour Moulay Abdellah Amghar, Meknes and in the past at Sidi Abderahman in Casablanca, and is also practiced at family occasions such as births and wedding ceremonies. According to Barbié de Preaudeau and Faucet, horses are used extensively during family ceremonies, and the tbourida, the most distinctive example of this, is most often associated with feast days [Ikhiar 1996, page 132]. Tbourida consists of groups of riders galloping together, gathering speed before firing their rifles simultaneously and bringing their horses to a halt in a single line. A team of riders is called a sorba. The number of riders ranges between five and twenty five, though most often nine or eleven; their number is always odd. The mokkadem, or leader, was at one time also a cavalry leader, e.g. at the time of Sultan Hassan I [El Merini 2000, page 586]. An experienced, respected and recognized rider, he oversees every aspect of preparations for a performance: clothing, harness, horses and rehearsals. During the performance he coordinates the movements of both riders and horses.