Moussem of Tantan

The Moussem of Tan-Tan is the largest traditional cultural and exchange festival in the Sahara, held every May in Tan-Tan, southern Morocco, bringing together more than 30 nomadic tribes and over 300,000 people.

Each spring, the desert town of Tan-Tan becomes a crossroads of Saharan culture during the Moussem of Tan-Tan. Registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this festival unites over 30 nomadic tribes for camel parades, horse shows, music, poetry, and dazzling displays of traditional dress. For those seeking the true face of the Sahara and the hospitality of its nomads, the Moussem is an unforgettable “living desert festival.”

The thunder of hooves on sand, the shimmer of indigo turbans, the aroma of roasted lamb and fresh bread, the sound of drums and poetry under the night sky… The Moussem is a feast for the senses—a “desert tapestry” of color, rhythm, and tradition.

Camel & Horse Fantasia

Music, Poetry, and Dance

Traditional Markets and Handicrafts

Costumes and Decorations

The history of the Moussem of Tan-Tan stretches back centuries as a symbol of Saharan nomadic tradition and solidarity. Originally, it was a gathering for nomadic tribes to trade, arrange marriages, resolve disputes, and make religious pilgrimages to saints’ tombs. It served many social and economic functions, including singing, poetry, equestrian competitions, camel races, bartering, and weddings.

The modern form of the Moussem began in 1963, centered around the tomb of Saharan hero Mohamed Laghdaf (who resisted French and Spanish colonial rule until his death in 1960). It was established to preserve regional traditions and promote intertribal exchange and cultural continuity. The festival was suspended in 1979 for security reasons but revived in 2004 with support from UNESCO and the Moroccan government. In 2005, it was recognized as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO and was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.

The festival plays a vital role in preserving intangible heritage threatened by modernization and urbanization—such as Saharan nomadic culture, Hassani poetry, traditional music, camel culture, and handicrafts. With over 800 traditional tents, more than 30 tribes, and participants from across Northwest Africa, the Moussem features weddings, trade, poetry recitals, fantasia, camel races, and oral traditions.

Today, the Moussem of Tan-Tan is a “living cultural heritage” that celebrates Saharan pride, diversity, and the spiritual unity of nomads. It attracts travelers, researchers, and cultural figures from around the world, playing an important role in regional economy and tourism, and sharing the identity and pride of Saharan people with the world.

I came from Europe just to see the camel parade. The colors, music, and energy made it feel like stepping into another world.

• Traditional tents called khaima are made from goat hair and stay cool even in the desert.

The Moussem of Tan-Tan is held every May in Tan-Tan, Morocco. Experience the music, hospitality, and spirit of the desert in this extraordinary week at the edge of the Sahara.