TAÏGAPRESSE IMAGES

Morocco, a Thousand and One Roses

From the 3rd till the 5th of Mai, the small town of El Kelaat M'Gouna, in the south of Morocco celebrates the Rosa Madascena. The region is famous for the little flower that enchants perfume makers all over the world, and is of particular importance to the inhabitants of the province of Ouarzazate. The harvest of roses lasts for two months and represents a period of joy and hope for an entire population. A journey through a valley to discover a flower that has been part of the daily life of Moroccans throughout the centuries.

Photographer
Delphine Warin
Text
Audrey Setbon
Country
Morocco
Published
August 2002
Images
45
Reference
196-50068
Fatima Ait Makhad has been elected as a runner upper in he Miss Rose elections. She's in the company of Amina Nouhass, her tutor in…196-50068_01 According to history, it was around the 10th century that pilgrims from the Middle East brought the roses with them.196-50068_02 The roses from the harvest are those that have the strongest odour. They will be used for distillation, while the rest will be air-dried.196-50068_03 When roses grew in abundance, women could gather up till 80 kilos per day. Today they will have to work harder in order to fill their…196-50068_04 Morocco, a Thousand and One Roses, image 5 of 45196-50068_05 The Rosa Damascena variety can only grow naturally in the valley of Dadés, at 80 Kilometres from Ouarzazate. Some industrials tried to…196-50068_06 The rose season is a time of joy for the whole family. The women go to the fields together, singing, conversing and laughing.196-50068_07 Some women use an instrument to gather the roses while others do the job bear handed. They fill their bags and once full, carry them on…196-50068_08 The rose bushes surround the fields as a limit for other plantations. The women walk several kilometres daily in order to gather the roses.196-50068_09 A few years back, the women could gather up till 80 kilos of roses per day. Today, because of the distance that they have to walk, their…196-50068_10 The younger ones sometimes carry their harvest in those small baskets.196-50068_11 For the children, the rose season means easy pocket money. This young girl's uncle says that when he was young, he used to run to the…196-50068_12 The youngest ones accompany their parents to the fields. The money earned is usually spent for the children's needs.196-50068_13 Nowadays many families prefer to dry the roses and sell them at the price of 70 Dirhams (7 Euros) per kilo. They spread the roses in a…196-50068_14 Each new harvest is added to the old one that is being dried. The dried roses will be sold196-50068_15 The two distilleries of El Kelaat M'Gouna will remain shut this year. The distillery in the photograph is called the King's factory, the…196-50068_16 In Morocco, dried roses are mostly used for hair care by mixing with henna. The mix is crashed then combined with some vinegar. The…196-50068_17 Numerous families such as that of Abdou prepare their rose water at home using traditional methods. After hours of distillation, they…196-50068_18 The utensils used for the traditional distillation are a fast cooker or a simple pot. Fresh roses are boiled. The vapour passes through…196-50068_19 Twice a week, the inhabitants of the region can sell their dried roses at the souk. They are bought for 70 dirhams (7 Euros) per kilo, a…196-50068_20 According to history, pilgrims from the Middle East brought with them the Rosa Damascena variety about 10 centuries ago. Fresh roses are…196-50068_21 The buying price for dried roses is more interesting than fresh ones. Despite of the inflation, the price for fresh roses has remained…196-50068_22 Most window shops in El Kelaat M'Gouna are decorated in the colour of the flower, which made the place famous.196-50068_23 Rose water as well as products made with rose essence is part of the daily lives of Moroccans. Rose water is used abundantly. It is…196-50068_24 Fatima Ait Makhad is 17-years-old. She is presented for the first time in the Miss Rose elections. For her family, victory means a large…196-50068_25 Preparations are long. Fatima Ait Makhad, from a very poor family has made a magnificent dress for the great event: the election of Miss…196-50068_26 Fatima's mother has asked Amina Nouhass, Fatima's sister's teacher to be her tutor, meaning the person who will be accompanying and…196-50068_27 Amina Nouhass puts make up on Fatima's face. She uses eyeliner made with rose essence. The young woman won second place in the elections…196-50068_28 20-year-old Tla Ait Tougha puts on make up. She is a member of a folk group who will perform for the sixth time during the beauty…196-50068_29 Hair styling is an important part of the preparation for the young women who have their hair down to their waists. For the election of…196-50068_30 Tla Ait Tougha and Hanane El Asri are friends who live in the same village. Hanane is only 13-years-old and is a candidate for the first…196-50068_31 Tla Ait Tougha and Hanane El Asri are friends who live in the same village. Hanane is only 13-years-old and is a candidate for the first…196-50068_32 Tla Ait Tougha and Hanane El Asri are friends who live in the same village. Hanane is only 13-years-old and is a candidate for the first…196-50068_33 Hanane El Asri gets ready for the Miss Rose pageant. The preparations including make up, hair styling and dressing will last for at…196-50068_34 Tla Ait Tougha (L) and Hanane El Asri won respectively the 3rd and 1st positions of the Miss Rose elections 2002.196-50068_35 The big day is here. The 3rd of May, first day of the Rose festival, the young ladies are impatient for the Miss Rose elections to start.196-50068_36 Hanane El Asri, the future Miss Rose 2002 seen with the other candidates.196-50068_37 The candidates' anxiety rises during the elections as the time of the verdict nears. More than a simple election, winning represents an…196-50068_38 A man announces the winning numbers.196-50068_39 HananeEl Asri, 13, is elected Miss Rose 2002. Fatima Ait Makhad, 17, is second and Tla Ait Tougha, 20, third.196-50068_40 The three winners of the Miss Rose elections on the chariots that file through the streets of the city on the second day of the…196-50068_41 During the rose festival, paper flowers, flags and other items in the shape of roses deco196-50068_42 The rose festival of El Kellat M'Gouna gathers visitors from all over the region. It lasts for three days at the end of April or…196-50068_43 For the little town of El Kellat M'Gouna who at normal times is a passage for tourists travelling between Ourarzazate and Zagora, the…196-50068_44 Folkloric events take place in the streets of the town during the festival. The Rose festival is officially organised by the governor of…196-50068_45
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