Moroccan Cavalry Fantasia

D’une manière terminologique, la fantasia cavalerie marocaine est associée au folklore maghrébin, qu’on peut le considérer comme  l’un des plus beaux fleurons. 

The term fantasia has several meanings like the powder game, the equestrian gameor l’apologie de la poudre. The origin of the word fantasia is probably the Spanish word fantasia ("fantasy"). 

It should be mentioned that this term is foreign to Moroccan dialectal Arabic, but is widely used in tourism.

The fantasia is widespread throughout North Africa but it is in Morocco that the fantasia has retained its strongest vitality and its traditional character.

The origin of the practice of the fantasia comes from an indirect way of a very old equestrian tradition, to put in connection with the introduction of the bearded horse. This horse is characterized by its speed and its resistance, and in the practice of fantasia the horses were put in place in successive stages. 

We can distinguish that the fantasia is linked, at the same time, to the practice of war in the heroic period, and to the popular cult of the marabouts (the holy men, sages and Muslims who facilitate the popularization of Islam) of which they are honored by organizing moussems by this "noble game among all". The religious aspect cannot be neglected, as well as the ritual sacrifice.

La fantasia fait l’objet de mentions très courtes et ne traite pas l’essentiel et le détail de cette ancienne pratique. Donc, dans cet article on va essayer de développer une description détaillée, une longue développement sur les origines, la symbolique ou la gestuelle de la fantasia cavalerie marocaine.

History of the Moroccan cavalry fantasia:

Historically, the origin of the fantasia is further away from the "grand spectacle" side. It was justified according to a logic of keeping oneself on a war footing, of preparing for a punitive expedition to the neighboring village, or against the enemy who was threatening from outside. 

Delacroix, a French artist, to whom the word "fantasia" is usually attributed, other nineteenth-century artists^e century have represented this manifestation so characteristic of the Maghrebian temperament.

It is a set of rapid operations that only a light cavalry, maneuverable, constantly trained, was able to properly perform the missions assigned to him.

The fantasia was also a practice to honor the important people of a tribe. For example, as quoted by Querleux in 1915, the Zemmour practiced fantasias in which the gun powder spoke for several days to honor the Ouezzan chorfa, who were great spiritual leaders when they visited them. 

C’est-à-dire le sens donné à la fantasia c’est d’honorer un illustre personnage. Comme, il ont cité les frères Tharaud en 1929 dans leur description qu’une bruyante chevauchée que les Ayt Myill accueillent Lyautey lors de son arrivée au poste de Tim-hadit dans le Moyen-Atlas. Dans la même époque, Scott O’Connor décrit qu’un visiteur britannique était en tournée avec le chef de poste d’Azrou, avait assisté aux charges successives de trois milles cavaliers berbères qui avait freiné leur course à quelques mètres de la tente caïdale où il avait pris place.

The current situation of the Moroccan cavalry Fantasia:

The fantasia, currently, occupies a great place of choice among the many tourist attractions of Morocco. The many festivals, whether religious or otherwise, provide riders with many opportunities to show off. 

The last three decades have allowed a real professionalization of the discipline. This professionalization is illustrated by a specialized breeding of horses intended for the fantasia and will only serve this tradition. 

Cet élevage spécialisé des chevaux est matérialisé par des objets de soins attentifs de la part de leurs maîtres, tout en leur épargnant chaque effort inutile en leur acheminant la veille, soit en camion, soit à la remorque d’une mule, jusqu’à l’endroit où se déroule la fantasia. 

The knights attract the eye by the richness of their equipment, especially the saddle embroidered with silk, silver and gold which is very valuable. 

The small caparison that adorns the forehead of the animal, to the reindeer highlighted by twists of gold wire; metal stirrups which the good rider will be careful not to use inconsiderately if he wishes to avoid cruel injuries to his mount. 

The horse thus harnessed can be considered as ready to face the equestrian game. The antique parade rifles are also decorated with silver circles and chiseled stocks inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ivory. These rifles, the riders will load them with black powder. In Morocco, they are called "moukhalla”. 

In previous centuries, the participants lined up at 10 or 20 at the start of their events, as was the case on the occasion of local festivals. Nowadays, this number is largely exceeded in large gatherings, but this has not caused any problems in coordinating the final musketry.

The alignment must be checked one last time, the leader of the group begins by saying the ritual which is In the name of God and the glory of the Prophet. Then the group moves across the field towards the caidal tents and the guests in front of them. After about fifty meters, the mounts take the pace of charge and then, for 150-200 meters, raising a cloud of dust, the riders compete with skill, some standing on their stirrups, some on the saddle holding their reins between their teeth, in a whirling of guns brandished at arm's length, in a dull hammering of hooves. At the last place, at a short distance from the tents of the guests, a command resounds and, with a perfect assembly the rifles pointed towards the sky, a dry detonation pierces the air. The powder "spoke".

The experts judge the dexterity of the groups that performed according to several criteria. The first criterion is that the group must maintain an alignment between riders during the duration of the charge. The second criterion is the straightness of the charge, i.e., the extent to which the course taken at the start is maintained. The next criterion is the synchronization of the shots that each participant in the group must take; fantasia cavalerie marocaine_1

The most important places of the Moroccan fantasia:

As it is known by the best connoisseurs in the matter, the best fantasias are linked to the moussems. These moussems take place during a yearly period in the regions where the tombs of the different saints are located. 

One of the most important saints is the founder of the Idrisside dynasty whose tomb is located near Meknes. This region has a two-week festival in September at this holy place, honoring Moulay Driss Zerhoun. These festivities are held on a flat area above the city and in which fantasias are organized.

We must also mention another festival, another moussem in a small village 9 km west of the city of El Jadida. 

We pass to the north, a moussem in Moulay Bousselham honoring the saint Ahmed Ben Mansour. This moussem is characterized by equestrian games of religious origin, since it was the occasion for the followers of the Aïssawa sect to honor their saint, Ben 'Ayssa. This festival takes place in September near the place El Hedim in front of the ramparts of Meknes.

Au-delà des manifestations religieuses, la fantasia peut se jouer dans des endroits privés organisant des manifestations d’une manière régulière tels que des complexes touristiques comme le restaurant Chez Ali à Marrakech which offers a dinner show under Berber tents in a magical atmosphere.

The fantasia practiced by Moroccan women

Even if the fantasia is from its origin is a male tradition. And yet, currently Moroccan women have decided to revolutionize this idea by organizing equestrian events in which riders are rather horsemen. 

Actuellement de plus en plus de femmes marocaines se mettent à pratiquer la fantasia, bouleversant toutes les habitudes de ce divertissement qui est principalement codifié reprenant des traditions qui datent de plusieurs siècles. Les Marocaines pratiquent souvent la fantasia en s’organisant en formant leurs propres groupes et en s’emparant de la fantaisie et modifiant des ancrages culturels difficiles à ébranler.  

Ce qui rend ces femmes plus fières c’est le fait de battre les hommes à leur propre jeu.

These Moroccan women who have decided to practice fantasia are experiencing some resistance from men. But these Moroccan women still insist on taking up the challenge to prove their skills and compete with men.

Au fil des décennies, la fantasia cavalerie marocaine n’a cessé de se moderniser tout en se spécialisant, et malgré les puristes qui regrettent l’inévitable orientation commerciale de la discipline, il est permis de dire que les protagonistes s’efforcent, par fierté, par conscience professionnelle aussi, de fournir la meilleure version possible.

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