The International Nomads Festival Celebrates Its 20th Edition in the Heart of the Desert
The 20th Edition of the International Nomads Festival Kicks Off in M’Hamid El Ghizlane
The 20th edition of the International Nomads Festival commenced on Thursday in M’Hamid El Ghizlane under the theme "A City Without Walls in the Heart of the Desert." This event, which has become a must-attend festival, captivated audiences from the very beginning with vibrant artistic performances, transporting spectators on a cultural journey deep into the Sahara. Emphasis was placed on the richness of the region’s intangible heritage, a vital component of culture and sustainable development.
The evening featured impressive performances, including that of the Malian group "Imarhan Timbuktu," as well as popular dances (such as Regba, El Gedra, El Chemra…) and lively shows by the troupe "Les Pigeons du Sable," accompanied by the rhythms of the guembri and gnaoui sounds.
Noureddine Bougrab, the founder and director of the festival, expressed to MAP that "this festival is a unique event, uniting festival-goers from around the world to celebrate the richness of our culture and heritage." He added that the 2025 edition stands out with a program of immense diversity, blending tradition and modernity. This festival embodies "the harmony between the past and the present" and aspires to serve as a creative expression space that reflects the vastness and hospitality of the Sahara.
Among the prestigious guests, the group Nass Al-Ghiwane, known as "the Rolling Stones of Africa," will pay tribute to the festival’s twentieth anniversary with an exceptional concert. On Sunday, Moroccan artist Saïd Tichiti, ambassador of Amazigh, Gnawa, and Hassani music, will offer the audience an unforgettable musical moment, merging traditions with contemporary sounds.
The duo "Sarah and Ismaïl" will also delight spectators with a subtle fusion of Amazigh melodies and modern music. Other renowned artists, such as the Algerian group "Kader Tarhanine," will participate in this international event.
The festival also features exhibitions on traditional crafts, visual arts, and local culinary specialties. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to discover desert dances, ancestral sports, and demonstrations of know-how that illustrate the diversity and splendor of the Sahara.
Conferences and workshops will be organized around the challenges of sustainable development in desert regions, environmental preservation, and cybersecurity. On Saturday, a dromedary race and the traditional nomads’ hockey will add an authentic touch to the celebrations.
One of the highlights of this edition will be the Digital Drâa Caravan, launched by the Moroccan Internet Society (MISOC), aimed at promoting digital inclusion in nomadic and rural areas. Workshops on artificial intelligence, digital identity, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship will be offered, symbolizing the alliance between ancestral heritage and technological innovations.
This major cultural event is organized in partnership with the province of Zagora, the Provincial Council of Zagora, the Moroccan National Tourism Office, the Regional Directorate of Culture in Drâa-Tafilalet, and many other partners.
