Next: about 17 to 19 Sept 2027
Imilchil Marriage Moussem
A September gathering of the Ait Haddidou in the High Atlas, with songs, dance, trading and match-making.
When is Imilchil Marriage Moussem in 2027?
Imilchil Marriage Moussem 2027 runs from 17 to 19 September 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, 18 to 20 September 2026; 2028, 15 to 17 September 2028.
About Imilchil Marriage Moussem
The moussem of Imilchil takes place each September in the high mountains of Morocco, when the Ait Haddidou Berber tribes gather on a plateau beside the Lake of Isli and Tislit. Legend tells of two lovers from rival tribes who wept so much at their separation that their tears formed two lakes. At the moussem, families meet to trade livestock, rugs and crafts, to sing, dance the ahidus, a line dance with drums, and to talk over the matches of young people. Traditionally, women are free to choose and can say so before a judge. Today it is also a cultural and trade fair, with tents, folk music, and tourists, and the exact days change from year to year, so the dates shown are approximate.
Imilchil Marriage Moussem dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Imilchil Marriage Moussem date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 to 20 September 2026 |
| 2027 | 17 to 19 September 2027 |
| 2028 | 15 to 17 September 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
What is eaten
- tagine
- mint tea
- bread
Traditions of Imilchil Marriage Moussem
Also part of it, and being written: Imilchil (The mountain town.), Moussem (The tradition of the regional gathering.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Imilchil Marriage Festival" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Ahidus: Fotograaf / photographer: Drs. F.M. (Frits) Cowan (1931 - 2010), CC BY-SA 3.0, source