The residents of Alnif in the Tinghir province renew the tradition of collective weddings, which has economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Among its roles is uniting the hearts of the region by combating tribal and ethnic tendencies, celebrating heritage and collective memory, and easing the burden on individuals and families in holding wedding ceremonies.

This long-standing celebration in Alnif has been overseen by prominent civil bodies, especially the Boukafar Association for Social, Cultural, and Environmental Development, named after a key Moroccan resistance station against foreign occupation, in coordination with local authorities for nearly twenty years.

In a statement to Hespress electronic newspaper, organizing committee member Youssef Benamar said: “This year, we were surprised by attendance that exceeded expectations and the capacity of the palace square (Ighram n Alnif). The attendance, especially from outside, was unprecedented, which affected management; however, the cooperation of the authorities, including the gendarmerie and auxiliary forces who secured the event, helped us. Without them, it would have been difficult.”

He added: “This year, we celebrated with 20 grooms and 20 brides as usual,” with ceremonies lasting three days, including the “Ahidous” night that welcomes teams from the entire region, and an intellectual evening that concluded on Wednesday.

It is noted that the celebration, according to previous Hespress reports, begins with “Asougs,” the first day of the collective weddings, which includes a morning phase where the brides gather after arriving from their areas. A festival with various activities and rituals is held, and the Boukafar Association transfers the brides to a place called the tent, where those called ministers undergo an examination before a committee. Then everyone withdraws to reunite in the evening of the same day, when the brides enter, the grooms’ henna ceremonies take place attended by their mothers, followed by artistic performances of the “Ahidous” art.

This is followed by a special “Ahidous” night between the brides and grooms until the third and final day, when the brides’ faces are revealed publicly for the first time, called “Asoufkh” day.

Youssef Benamar mentioned that “the association has been organizing collective weddings for nearly twenty years, knowing that it is a historical way of celebration,” adding: “The goal is primarily to preserve the intangible cultural heritage of the region, according to which our ancestors married, we married, and we pass it on for the younger generations to learn about and preserve as they grow older.”

He continued: “Among the goals of collective weddings is solidarity, which is fundamental. Every groom, regardless of his social level, participates in the same wedding, where the engineer is like the simple worker, with the same ceremonies and clothing, instead of each family bearing the expenses with the known competition over guests, and so on.”

The civil actor added: “Socially, the collective wedding is held without high costs, spreading joy among everyone. There is also an economic goal; the city of Alnif is regionally and nationally known for this celebration, and annually many people visit, activating tourism that has an economic impact, benefiting everyone during the four days of the collective wedding.”