Moroccan tradition: horses and fantasy

In Morocco, it is part of the cultural heritage, it has become a tribal, rural and religious tradition. It is practiced to celebrate moussems (feast of sowing, harvest) and to celebrate a saint. It can be executed to maintain the folklore and for a tourist purpose. In recent years, the Moroccan cultural authorities have organized fantasia competitions between the different localities of the kingdom.

image source

The term "fantasia" would be either of Latin origin meaning entertainment, or Spanish-Italian meaning fantasy. In the Moroccan language, this word becomes '' darija'' and takes the direction of ostension because the tribes according to their region add games with the rifle, acrobatics, outfits of colors and magnificent harness of parade.
The weapons of the fantasias followed the evolution: bow, crossbow in the 14th century and appearance of the rifles: at the beginning of the 19th century: "the mokahla" which are transmitted from generation to generation. The colored rides are mainly with bearded horses.

image source

It is an exhibition of the mastery uniting the man and his horse. The riders dressed in baggy trousers and immaculate "djellabas" hold long rifles pointing towards the sky. Their horses are equipped with harnesses and saddles embellished with colorful colors.

image source

The colorful ride rushes in a line, men and horses gallop to their halt and there: the riders shoot in the air in unison.
And after these shots, the "youyous" women are heard.