• Thousands of visitors descended on the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida this July to attend the largest equestrian show in the kingdom - a breathtaking horseback performance that combines synchronized riding with decorative guns. All photos: AP / Mosa'ab Elshamy
    Thousands of visitors descended on the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida this July to attend the largest equestrian show in the kingdom - a breathtaking horseback performance that combines synchronized riding with decorative guns. All photos: AP / Mosa'ab Elshamy
  • In this Thursday, July 25, 2019 photo, a boy hands a rifle to horse riders waiting for their turn to take part in an equestrian show known as Fantasia or Tabourida, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    In this Thursday, July 25, 2019 photo, a boy hands a rifle to horse riders waiting for their turn to take part in an equestrian show known as Fantasia or Tabourida, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • In this Thursday, July 25, 2019 photo, a female troupe prepares to take part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    In this Thursday, July 25, 2019 photo, a female troupe prepares to take part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • A troupe is engulfed by smoke after firing their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    A troupe is engulfed by smoke after firing their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • A troupe charges holding their rifles before firing, during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco. All photos: AP / Mosa'ab Elshamy
    A troupe charges holding their rifles before firing, during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco. All photos: AP / Mosa'ab Elshamy
  • A horse rider prepares to exit after his troupe took part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco,
    A horse rider prepares to exit after his troupe took part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco,
  • A troupe charges and fire their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    A troupe charges and fire their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • People watch Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    People watch Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • People watch as a rider takes part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    People watch as a rider takes part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • A troupe charges and fires their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    A troupe charges and fires their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • A man helps prepare rifles before being loaded with gunpowder to be used in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    A man helps prepare rifles before being loaded with gunpowder to be used in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • People watch as riders wait during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    People watch as riders wait during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • A horse feeds at a tent before it is prepared to take part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida.
    A horse feeds at a tent before it is prepared to take part in Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida.
  • People watch as horse riders wait for their turn to take part in an equestrian show known as Fantasia or Tabourida, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    People watch as horse riders wait for their turn to take part in an equestrian show known as Fantasia or Tabourida, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
  • Thousands of visitors descend on the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida each July to attend the largest equestrian show in the kingdom _ a breathtaking horseback performance that combines synchronised riding with decorative guns. The competitive event is known as Tabourida, or La'ab Al-Baroud, "The Game of Powder."
    Thousands of visitors descend on the Moroccan coastal city of El Jadida each July to attend the largest equestrian show in the kingdom _ a breathtaking horseback performance that combines synchronised riding with decorative guns. The competitive event is known as Tabourida, or La'ab Al-Baroud, "The Game of Powder."
  • A troupe charges and fires their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.
    A troupe charges and fires their rifles during Tabourida, a traditional horse riding show also known as Fantasia, in the coastal town of El Jadida, Morocco.

Tabourida: 16 striking photos of Fantasia horsemanship in Morocco


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Every July, thousands descend on the small coastal Moroccan town of El Jadida for a highly performative and traditional exhibition of horsemanship.

The competitive event is known as Tabourida, or La'ab Al-Baroud, which translates to "The Game of Powder."

Famed French artist Eugene Delacroix popularised Tabourida on canvas in the 19th century, dubbing it "Fantasia," and the name has stuck ever since.

'Fantasia Arabe' by Eugene Delacroix
'Fantasia Arabe' by Eugene Delacroix

The display involves a group of riders in traditional garb all charging at the same speed in a straight line, forming one seemingly solid unit. Then, near the end of the charge they all fire their rifles into the sky.

The difficulty lies in coordinating the speed so that all of the horses and riders move as if one, and in shooting the rifles at the same time so that it sounds like one large shot to the audience.

Generally the teams come from different villages or geographies, and there is a cash prize up for grabs.

The city of El Jadida is home to around 200,000 people and sits on the coast, almost exactly 100 kilometres south of Casablanca.