Sebiba Festival

 

The Sebiba Festival is a one-day dance festival. According to tradition, it may have originated in celebrations marking the death of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II (1303–1213 BC). For days beforehand, rehearsals take place in the two districts of Djanet, El Mihan and Azelaouaz. Then, in a peaceful competition, magnificently dressed groups of dancers and musicians face each other on the plain near Djanet. The men hold a long sword by the blade in their right hand and a headscarf in their left, symbols of war and peace. The sumptuous garments are often made of shimmering, blue-violet, indigo-dyed fabric. A smaller, central group of men in old-fashioned warrior attire hides their faces behind a cloth and wears a very tall, red hat adorned with silver amulets. The women's groups sing and set the rhythm with drums. Judges observe everything closely and, at the end, announce the winning district with the best overall performance. The Sebiba festival has been classified as Tuareg heritage and included in the UNESCO lists of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

 

Sebiba will be celebrated on the day of the Ashura festival: July 5, 2025, June 25, 2026, June 15, 2027, June 3, 2028.

 

Travel suggestion available upon request. Summer is not the ideal time to travel. However, since the region lies 1000 meters above sea level and the humidity is very low, the climate is tolerable even in summer. A visit to the Sebiba Festival can also be combined with one of the other travel suggestions presented here. Please ask us.

 

 

Tamanrasset

 

For safety reasons, the region between Djanet and Tamanrasset is currently closed. However, travel starting from Tamanrasset is possible, as the area around Tamanrasset is safe. Interesting destinations include the valleys and oases of Mertoutek, the mountain oasis of Tazrouk, and the Hoggar Mountains with Assekrem.

 

Travel suggestion upon request