Moussem
A mousse ( Arabic موسم, DMG mausim ) or Waada (وعدة / waʿda ) is an originally religiously motivated festival (pilgrimage) in the Maghreb in honor of a saint ( sidi , moulay or cheikh ). In this respect , it is comparable to the German term ' Kirmes ', from which it differs, however, through the equestrian games ( fantasias ) that sometimes take place at such an event and through other cultural peculiarities. But also thanksgiving-like celebrations; which are also known as moussems are known. The religiously related festivals are often based on the Islamic calendar and thus take place in different months - each year changing.
history
How far back the - originally unrelated - moussems or fantasias go back historically is unclear. Equestrian games on the Arabian Peninsula and elsewhere probably have as long a tradition as pilgrimages and can probably be traced back to pre-Islamic times; it is possible that the two events were only linked to one another in Islamic times.
In earlier times - especially in the Berber- inhabited areas of the Maghreb - almost every village had its 'saint' ( marabout ) and a small domed tomb ( qubba ), but in the course of the 20th century many local and regional traditions are the 'Adoration of saints' has come to a standstill. After all, some Marabout buildings are still being maintained and whitewashed with white paint every few years, but an end to this tradition is in sight - as has already happened in Tunisia.
present
Algeria
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Morocco
In Morocco alone there are around 500 moussems that take place every year . The most important are:
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