Morocco's Engagement Moussem festival attracts hundreds of would-be couples and intrepid tourists

The annual festival takes place in the village of Imilchil in the Atlas Mountains

Young Amazigh (Berber) men and women wait to exchange rings during the annual Engagement Moussem festival in Morocco. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Engagement Moussem takes place near the village of Imilchil in central Morocco's high Atlas Mountains. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Berber women pose for a selfie during the Engagement Moussem. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

The Engagement Moussem festival attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

The festival takes place in August or September each year, with this year's festivities taking place on September 21. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

At the event, Berber women choose their future husbands from among the single men. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Legend has it has that festival was inspired by two young lovers from enemy tribes who did not get their elders' consent to marry leading to their deaths. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Soon after, the warring tribes decided to give their young people the freedom to choose their own spouse. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

The event attracts participants from all over the province of Errachidia, particularly those belonging to the Ait Hdiddou tribe. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Many young men who have gone further afield for employment return to Imilchil for the festival to find their life partners. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Younger would-be brides are accompanied by their elders. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Older brides can choose their husbands without parental consent. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

A formal wedding ceremony, too, takes place during the annual Engagement Moussem festival, typically by signing a marital contract followed by individual family ceremonies later in the year. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

The tribes also come together to trade, by exchanging livestock, handicrafts and agricultural produce during Engagement Moussem. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

An elderly Berber woman attends Engagement Moussem. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

The festival takes place at the site of the tomb of holy man Marabout Sidi Ahmed Oulmaghni in Imilchil. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Members of a traditional music group gather before performing at Engagement Moussem. Photo: Fadel Senna / AFP

Young Amazigh (Berber) men and women come together to find and marry their life partners during Engagement Moussem. The festival takes place near the village of Imilchil in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains every year, with tribe members coming celebrating with music, dance and trade.

Click through the photo essay above to know more about this ancient tradition and how it came about.

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