Agidar, Morrocco

Agidar was  a town upon a hill that was destroyed in an earthquake in 1969.  We went to see the old city wall, which is partially rebuilt.

The town was rebuilt at earthquake standards. It has a huge fishing industry large and small.

The city was rebu

small individual boats

larger fleets

Next the "Fantasia Horse Show". From the title what do you think it will be? I wish I could get a video to download on this site, but I just can't. We were greeted by 4 different groups drumming and clapping to the rhythm. We were seated on lovely chairs in a grassy area to view the show. We could see the a couple of horse at the far end of the grass area.  Waiting, waiting, the first group of drummers and dancers came out and drummed and danced, or I should say shuffled slightly in front of us. No one in the group was smiling.  After a good 10 minutes they left. Applause, applause, applause! It took another 10 minutes for the horses to get their act together and come galloping towards us with their swords stopping and yelling just as they got to us! Wow! 

Another group of dancers and drummers come out and shuffle for us. At least this group smiles a little. We can see the horses getting ready for the next act. 15 min. later the horses charge at us and about 30 feet from us they fire their guns! Pow! Now that was thrilling. What's next!!!!!.....Another group of drummers and shufflers. The horses are lined up ready for the next act. Here they come racing, racing, guns in the air! Pow! guns fire again!!!! Horses return to their waiting area. Out comes another Drum-Shuffle group.😒 This time they invite some audience members to shuffle with them and they add a couple of shimmies. They shuffle off and here come the horses! What will they do this time? Pow! Yup, the guns.  This has got to be the end. That's as much Fantasia as any of us can stand.  Well there was supposed to be an acrobat, but he couldn't make it.  Someone brings out a metal box and sets it on the ground while the last drummers come out. The have a crude sinter, a flute and Qraqebs, hand cymbals. A full fledged band! After they play one of the members carefully opens the box and brings out a cobra and carries it around. followed by a python, then an atlas snake. The best part of the whole show. The end.

Hand carts still in large use.