The Marriage Festival of Imilchil

The of Imilchil Festival

Written and Illustrated by Jacqueline Craft

The Marriage Festival of Imilchil

Written and Illustrated by Jacqueline Craft

INTRODUCTION IMILCHIL

FESTIVAL CLOTHING CHICKEN TAGINE COLOPHON

During the festival, members of the tribes commonly stay in tents.

The Imilchil Marriage Festival has been celebrated for generations. The local tribes surrounding the town of Imilchil gather and single individuals search for a spouse. The Imilchil Marriage Festival provides experienced Moroccan tourists with a more exclusive and traditional celebration opportunity.

c ntr du ion o t

Marriage Festival of Imilchil

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The annual Imilchil Marriage Festival lasts for three days and takes place during September. The festival is celebrated with great food, music, dancing, and traditional dress and costume. A large market also takes place as local farmers and artisans sell their produce to the visiting tribes. The women from the tribes make the first move in picking their spouses. After finding a potential spouse, the couple’s families meet, arrangements are made for the wedding, and dowries are negotiated. Originally couples at the Imilchil

marriage festival would be publicly married at the festival; however, today the couples announce their engagement at the festival and then have a private wedding later at the groom’s home village. Traditionally this festival was only attended by the tribes, but in recent years the festival has been opened to the public and attracts hundreds of people from all around the world every year. Although visitors can not participate in finding a spouse, they can still enjoy the food, music, dancing, and overall unique experience.

A couple at the Imilchil Marriage Festival touching and holding hands to signify their intent to marry.

Photo: © African Online Museum

The Marriage Festival takes place in the small town of Imilchil, located in central Morocco. The town’s surrounding mountains and lakes are said to have originated from a legend of two forbidden lovers. The story of these two lovers led to the creation of the Marriage Festival of Imilchil.

THE JOURNEY TO IMILCHIL

The surrounding Berber tribes travel to the festival by camel or horses and camp in tents during the event. For those outside of the native community, you can rent a vehicle or hire a driver to travel to Imilchil. A popular place for tourists to stay is Chez Bassou, which also has a restaurant, free bikes for visitors to use, and guides to take you into the surrounding mountains.

The town of Imilchil in Central Morocco.

“souls to be forever separated by the mountain in between the lakes”

Photo: © Morocco Tourism Imilchil Facebook

Imilchil’s location within the country of Morocco.

Road RN12

LEGEND IN LOCATION

Imilchil is located high in the Middle Atlas Mountains near two lakes named Tislit and Isli. The word Tislit means the bride and Isli means bridegroom. There is a legend of two lovers from enemy tribes who were deeply in love, but their families forbade them to wed. The separated lovers cried day and night forming the two lakes. Suffering from heartbreak, the lovers drown

themselves in the lakes only for their souls to be forever separated by the mountain in between the lakes. This tragedy led to the guilt-ridden lovers’ families establishing a day on the anniversary of the lovers’ death where the tribes would meet near the lakes and allow their children to marry whomever they choose. Thus, the annual Imilchil Marriage Festival was created.

The Marriage Festival of Imilchil

Lake Tislit

Lake Isli

Imilchil

Atlas Mountains

Road R317

The Marriage Festival of Imilchil calls for participants to wear clothing special and makeup for the occasion to signify eligibility. Visitors should also be mindful of their clothing to respect cultural standards and protect themselves from the harsh climate conditions.

Festival Clothing

WHAT YOU WILL SEE

Participants in the festival wear special clothing to signal to others that they are eligible for marriage. The men looking for marriage wear white robes, and darked their eyes with antimony. Women participating in the festival are dressed in roughly woven black robes. The women wear a headdress that is round unless they are divorced or a widow then their headdress is pointed at the top. Each woman is adorned with their family’s silver and heavy amber beads and their faces are painted with makeup.

Marriage Festival of Imilchil

WHAT TO PACK

When deciding what to pack for your experience of the Imilchil Marriage Festival, consider bringing clothing that can be easily layered so you can adapt to any climate change. It is important to dress modestly and cover most of the body including your arms, shoulders, and legs. These full coverings are not only respectful in Moroccan culture but also help protect your body from dry winds, harsh sun exposure, and desert climate. You should carry a scarf with you that can be used as a head and face covering in areas that are considered more conservative. A few recommended items to bring are sturdy shoes or lightweight boots, breathable garments, a thin fleece jacket, a lightweight scarf, and a lightweight shell jacket. Consider only wearing clothes that are a neutral color and blend into the natural environment.

A woman from one of the Berber tribes wearing traditonal festival clothing.

Photo: © Getty Images - Nik Wheeler

Chicken Tagine

INGREDIENTS

1-2 preserved lemons (quartered and seeds removed)

1 whole chicken (cut into pieces, skin and back removed)

2 large white or yellow onions (finely chopped)

2-3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 small handful fresh cilantro (chopped)

1 small handful fresh parsley (chopped)

2 tsp. powedered ginger

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. turmeric or Moroccan yellow colorant

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. saffron threads - optional (crumbled)

1 tsp. smen- optional

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. ras el hanout - optional

1/3 c. olive oil

2 handfuls pilled olives (green or red, or mixed)

1/4 c. water (if using a tagine)

Photo: © The SpruceJulia Hartbeck

Lemon and Olive Chicken Tagine

Imilchil

The Imilchil Marriage Festival is also celebrated with delicious food.

A staple dish in Moroccan culture is the tajine, which can be made with a wide variety of ingredient combinations.

PREPARATION

1. Gather ingredients

2. Add lemon flesh to a bowl along with chicken, onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley, ginger, pepper, turmeric, and salt. If using, add the saffron, ras el hanout, and smen. Mix well.

3. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

COOKING WITH A TAGINE

1. Add enough of the olive oil to coat the tagine bottom.

2. Arrange the marinated chick in the tagine, flesh side down, and distribute onions on top.

3. Add the olives and reserved rind of the preserved lemons, then drizzle the remaining olive oil over the chicken.

4. Add the water to the tagine, cover, and place on a heat diffuser over medium-low heat. Give the tagine time to reach a simmer without peaking. If you don’t hear the tagine simmering within 20 minutes, slightly increase the heat, and then use the lowest heat setting required for maintaining a gentle simmer.

5. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for 80-90 minutes, and then turn the chicken over so it’s flesh side up. Cover the tagine again and allow the chicken to finish cooking until very tender (approx. 45 minutes).

6. Turn off heat, and let the tagine cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

COOKING WITH AN OVEN

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and add enough of the olive oil to a large baking dish so that it coats the bottom.

2. Add the onions and garlic from the marinade.

3. Place the marinated chicken on top.

4. Add the olives and reserved rind of the preserved lemons on top and drizzle the chicken with the remaining olive oil.

5. Bake the chicken uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is light golden brown, basting occasionally.

6. Reduce the heat to 350°F and continue baking for another 20-30 minutes The chicken should be deeply browned and juices should run clear.

7. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

A tagine is an earthen pot and is also called a maraq.

The Marriage Festival of Imilchil

COLOPHON

This book was created and illustrated by Jacqueline Craft. The content and photos were compiled from numerous sources found during the research process. This book is intended for inspiring people to experience different cultures beyond typical tourist attractions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aga. “Morocco: Imilchil Marriage Festival: Insight Guides Blog.” Insight Guides. Basecamps, Global. “What to Wear in Morocco.” What to Wear in Morocco - Men & Women’s Dress Code Attire. Global Basecamps Authentic Travel.

Benlafquih, Christine. “A Tasty Yet Traditional Moroccan Chicken Tagine.” The Spruce Eats. Hays, Jeffrey. “Berber Culture, Life and Weddings.” Facts and Details. “Imilchil Marriage Festival 2022 in Morocco - Dates.” Imilchil Marriage Festival 2022 in Morocco - Dates. Rove.me. “Imilchil Marriage Festival.” Imilchil Marriage Festival. Travel Exploration. Safa. “Imilchil Marriage Festival: A Love Celebration.” Moroccanzest, Yasmine. “How a Doomed Love Sparked Morocco’s Prominent Marriage Festival.” Culture Trip. The Culture Trip.

Marriage Festival of Imilchil

The Imilchil Marriage Festival has been celebrated for generations. The local tribes surrounding the town of Imilchil, Morocco gather and eligible individuals search for a potential spouse. Traditionally this festival was only attended by the tribes, but in recent years the festival has opened attendance to the public and attracts hundreds of people from all around the world every year.