Explore Hassilabied: Top Art & Cultural Gems

Alright, so you’re planning a trip to Morocco and you’ve heard about Hassilabied, which is a small village just outside Merzouga, isn’t it? And you’re perhaps thinking, “What is there to see other than sand dunes?”, well, prepare yourself, it’s a place that holds way more artistic and cultural gems than you might imagine, actually.

1. Galerie La Kasbah: Showcasing Local Talent

First on our list, we have Galerie La Kasbah, this isn’t just a gallery, is it, but it’s a real hub for local artists and artisans? Here, you’ll come across some super cool paintings, carvings, and pottery, that just very clearly show off the Berber culture and traditions, just perfectly don’t they? The cool thing is that the art displays daily life, you know, that you can just kind of lose yourself in for hours.

That owner, he’s usually around too, and, you know, so he’ll happily share the stories of the different artists, he might be busy, who knows? A few tourists don’t see art as much more than decoration and a potential photograph, very few tourists ever stop and chat, it seems. This isn’t some pretentious, stuffy place; it’s warm, inviting, and it really does provide a true glimpse into the souls of the people that actually live around Hassilabied, that it does.

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2. Khamlia Village: Gnaoua Music Experience

Right then, want some soulful music? You need to go to Khamlia Village, a small settlement inhabited mostly by people that are descendants of slaves, that is it. What’s fascinating is that they keep alive a musical tradition called Gnaoua. What’s Gnaoua? Just think hypnotic rhythms, complex drumming patterns, and spiritual songs. Seriously, it just makes you want to move.

What you can do, is go to a local Gnaoua house, maybe? The musicians will play, then very likely let you have a go, you can usually try instruments and sing with them. In some respects, this, just kind of allows you to experience a unique, immersive experience that helps you kind of appreciate the depth of African traditions that you sometimes can’t see in mainstream Moroccan culture. Just see if there are options to arrange performances beforehand; some of them might be casual, who knows? I bet you’d feel awkward rocking up unexpectedly, wouldn’t you?

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3. Nomad Encounters: Traditional Berber Life

If you want the real deal, then what about meeting some local Nomads? Yeah, you probably thought they’d disappeared off the face of the earth! Quite often, tourist spots tend to present overly glamourized images, not real Nomads, but here you can arrange for properly genuine experiences.

Typically, you head off to a desert camp, more or less, you share tea, and just find a new way of seeing life. Now, of course it’s respectful; it is very important that you get involved and hear first-hand about daily issues. If you get this right, this becomes an deeply enriching cultural exchange, is that?

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4. Hassilabied’s Local Festivals: A Celebration of Culture

Look into the Hassilabied festive events, these show very colorful cultural events throughout the year, aren’t they? A good way is, to check what goes on and if things work out for your stay.

Very often, events include, musical shows or, dances of an original style, Berber culture or spiritual or religious things as well; visiting that you may see things not usually apparent for outsiders and they offer the insider’s point of view.

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5. Ksar Exploration: Ancient Village Architecture

Then visit Ksar, that kind of fortified old village, very likely, now. This construction often speaks much more on local architectural history and has deep historical roots.

Such sites can showcase local ingenuity displayed in ancient, that is, in an extreme weather and terrain, like mud, brick buildings adapted as necessary with their decorative themes often from Berber designs, or symbolic features. Just go wandering along streets or courtyards—it’s very visually quite arresting while you think too.

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Read our full review: Hassilabied Art & Culture Full Review and Details