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A WEDDING IN THE TAFILALET
Photographs by Cynthia Becker, University of St. Thomas
Reprinted from Moroccan
Caravan
The Tafilalet is the largest Saharan oasis of Morocco,
in the southeastern part of the country. Tafilalet is noted for
its dates, most of which it exports. It has tanning and handicraft
industries, and its main trading centre is Erfoud at the base
of Mount Erfoud. The inhabitants are primarily Muslim Berbers.
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Photographs by Cynthia Becker, University of St. Thomas The Tafilalet is the largest Saharan oasis of Morocco, in the southeastern part of the country. Tafilalet is noted for its dates, most of which it exports. It has tanning and handicraft industries, and its main trading centre is Erfoud at the base of Mount Erfoud. The inhabitants are primarily Muslim Berbers. |
In the Tafilalet, an Ait Khabbash (a clan of the Ait Atta) bride
covers her face with a red silk scarf for three days during the
marriage ceremony. Only the groom is allowed to see her face,
and the bride stays in a tent during this three day period.
The red silk cloth covering a bride's face is adorned with silver
jewelry. This woman had her hands elaborately decorated with
henna, a natural plant dye that is believed to have divine blessings.
These men from the Tafilalet are playing large barrel drums called
ginga and tgingat. The music they play probably has origins in
sub-Saharan Africa.
This photo was taken at the yearly festival mentioned
above. Men circle a tent three times and play music in order
to mark the beginning of the festival.
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In the Tafilalet, an Ait Khabbash (a clan of the Ait Atta) bride covers her face with a red silk scarf for three days during the marriage ceremony. Only the groom is allowed to see her face, and the bride stays in a tent during this three day period. |
| The red silk cloth covering a bride's face is adorned with silver jewelry. This woman had her hands elaborately decorated with henna, a natural plant dye that is believed to have divine blessings. |
|
|
|
These men from the Tafilalet are playing large barrel drums called ginga and tgingat. The music they play probably has origins in sub-Saharan Africa. |
| This photo was taken at the yearly festival mentioned above. Men circle a tent three times and play music in order to mark the beginning of the festival. |
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WEDDING
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