Cost per Person based ondouble occupancy: $2,685
Imilchil Betrothal Festival
Deep in the heart of Morocco survives a culture with an ancient way of life virtually untouched by the world outside. Until today, scattered among the peaks of the High Atlas mountains, Berber tribes maintain traditions begun by their ancestors hundred and hundreds of years ago.
The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa. They are the herders, nomads, mountain rug weavers of the land and they lead a free-spirited mountain lifestyle – very liberal and democratic compared with their Arab neighbors. Although the Berbers have been exposed to many organized faiths with Islam being the last - they have nevertheless kept their pre-Islamic rituals and beliefs – a heritage which can be traced to the Neolithic period.
One of the most unique of these rituals is the betrothal ceremony at the Imilchil fair. High on a verdant plateau sits Imilchil, the pastoral gathering place for the surrounding tribes of the Ait Sokham and Ait Bougemmaz. They gather at the end of summer, in the early days of September, having spent the spring and the hot days of summer high in the mountain peaks with their flocks. It is the time to begin the transition to leave the nomadic life behind and settle in for the winter months. Now is the time to prepare the plots and terraces for the fall plowing. And now is the time, as it has been for centuries, for the social gatherings to occur. Now is the time for the fair.
While trade, communication, introductions among families and dispute resolution settled by the wise elders goes on throughout the three days of the Imilchil fair, by far the most unique and magical draw is the betrothal ritual. For it is here that singles of all ages and youths in particular come to find or be found by a partner. Men don their Djellabahs (outer robes) and embellish themselves with the most precious silver daggers they own to signal maturity and wealth. The women in turn wear most beautiful handiras (capes) covered with the best embroideries their hands can stitch. They also adorn themselves with resplendent silver jewelry, belts and draping.
The mornings are reserved for browsing and making acquaintances. The women saunter from grouping to grouping while the men remain stationary – on exhibit as it were. It is the woman’s prerogative to make the first advance.
When a woman feels an attraction for a man, she approaches him, picks him by the hand, and invites him for a walk. It is during the walk that she asks all the important inquiries that help her determine this is the man for her. If her decision is positive, they both walk to the tent where the scribes will announce them husband and wife, and the ceremony begins. Otherwise, she will continue her search for the man of her choice. Sometime three days are not enough for a woman to find her man and she may wait for the fair next year.
For those
who are lucky to find their match and even those who did
not,
it is equally a time of ultimate joy and celebration of an ancient and
sacred way for matchmaking. Imilchil is a unique place in the
world
and a hidden treasure for the respectful traveler with a deep interest
for learning.
Aug 19th :
JFK/Casablanca
Overnight flight to
Aug
20th : Casablanca/Rabat
Rabat is an imperial
city with a rich history of kingdoms that have swept through it since
the tenth
century, leaving behind a collage of different architectural styles and
a
unique legacy. Afternoon sightseeing will highlight the Mellah, the
Mohamed V
mausoleum, the Oudaya Kasbah and the Andalous gardens. Dinner is at the
hotel.
Aug
21st : Volubilis/Meknes/Fes
Transfer to Fes via
Volubilis, the Roman capital of Northwestern Africa. Lunch is in the
interesting city of Meknes. In the afternoon you will arrive to Fes
with
sightseeing of the Ramparts, the Gates, the Borjs (forts) and the
Andalous quarter. Dinner is at the hotel,
followed by an
orientation meeting.
Aug 22nd :
Start the historic
sites by the mellah, the king's palace and the Bat'ha museum of
Moroccan arts.
Then, there will be the walking tour of the Medina. This fascinating
walled
city with its incredible maze of medieval twisting alleys, blind turns,
mosques, shrines, fountains, workshops and every conceivable kind of
market. This is an experience of a life
time. Lunch is served in a typical Moroccan restaurant. For the
afternoon,
continue visiting and shopping. Dinner is at the Hotel.
We will be
travelling from Fez to Imilchil via Midelt visiting Berber villages and
natural
sights across the High Atlas Mountains. We will arrive to Tisi'n'Isly
pass in
mid-afternoon, where a caravan of mules will take us up Mt Tarrirecht
(3km) in
the High Atlas to Imilchil where the Festival is taking place. A Caidal
tent is
pitched beside the Chief of the tribe as an honor for us (the guests),
also to
enjoy all the ceremonies and the festival activities.
Dinner is with the Berbers around the
campfire. (Camping)
Aug 24th :
Imilchil
After breakfast we
will take a mild hike to the breath taking plateau des lacs. We shall
return to
camp for lunch. Afternoon will be devoted to the festival activities
among the
Berbers. (Camping) Closing Ceremony.
After breakfast, we
will take a morning walk in the mountains visiting the Berber nomads in
their
tents and sipping mint tea with them. Return to Imilchil for lunch. The
afternoon is to share the happiness of the newly wed couples in a
festive
atmosphere with the indigenous Berber in their joyful chants and dances.
Travel across the
High Atals breath taking valleys to reach the Gorges of Todra. The whole afternoon will be devoted to
explore the region and its marvelous Kasbahs.
Dinner and accommodations are at Hotel Bougafer.
Aug 27th :
Tinghir /
Travel in the
morning back to Ouarzazate visiting the Dades Valley and continue to
Marrakesh
across the Tizen=Tichka
pass. Dinner is at the hotel.
Aug 28th :
Marrakech
The historic visit
of Marrakech will include the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by
flowers,
reflecting the image of a beautiful moorish construction built in 1866
for the
dignitaries. See glorious sunsets with the Atlas Mountains as a
backdrop. Also,
the pool is a functional irrigation system to the surrounding areas.
The tour
will see several impressive sights: The Koutoubia Minaret (the twin
tower of la
Giralda in Sevilla, Spain), the Saadian tombs demonstrating Moorish
architecture in its perfection. The tombs, consisting of splendid
mausoleums
built in the sixteenth century, were walled for some time, not to be
discovered
until 1917. Other sites include: the museum of Dar Si Said with the best
display of Berber arts and crafts to be found; the remains of the Badii
Palace,
a historical monument chosen to host the annual National Festival of
Popular
Art, beginning the second Friday in June. The Bahia Palace still hosts
dignitaries in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter) today. Lunch is
at the
hotel then a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech in the
afternoon. Conclude the day with a
sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jamaa El Fna Square. Dinner is at
the
Hotel.
Day at leisure,
relax and reflect or go to the colorful souks of Marrakesh. Farewell dinner at a Shehraman Restaurant
Aug 31st :
Marrakech /
Early morning
transfer to Marrakesh Airport to connect with the transatlantic flight
to
NY/JFK from Casablanca with a memorable trip of a life time.
What
is included
RT New York/Marrakesh/Casablanca.
Accommodation
in hotels as indicated or similar, half-board.
Land transportation in Land
Rovers.
Fees of escort, museums and guides.
Dinners outside the hotels.
Full
Board during the festival.
Cities
and Hotels Used
Rabat, 1 night,
Hotel Chellah 4*
Fes, 2 nights. Riad
Dar Masmoudi 5*
Tinghir, 1 night.
Hotel Kasbah Lamrani 4*
Imilchil, 3 nights,
camping
Cost
per person based on double occupancy:
$2,685.00
You will
love Morocco
For Tour Information
and Reservations contact:
Sarah Tours, Inc.
Call (800) 267-0036 or
(703)619-0777
Fax (703) 619-9399
sarahtur@erols.com
