Imilchil Festival

Morocco's very own version of the Romeo and Juliet story is the inspiration for this tribal marriage festival in Imilchil. The legend goes, that a man and a woman from two local tribes fell in love but were forbidden to marry by their families, because the tribes were enemies. They cried themselves to death, creating the neighboring lakes of Issly "his" and Tisslit "hers" near Imilchil, which are just a 15-minute walk apart. So stricken were their families that they established a day - on the anniversary of the lovers' death - on which members of the two tribes could marry each other. The Imilchil Marriage Festival was born. The festival is a great cultural celebration and is traditionally a time when young unmarried men and women search for a partner. A carnival atmosphere prevails and visitors can expect to be greeted by a great mix of traditional dancing, storytelling, music and feasting. At one time, this was an exclusive "family affair", but today the festival has  become an international tourist attraction.