December 4, 2023
In the heart of the High Atlas, where the sun gently caresses Kelâat M’Gouna, a haven of Berber allure, a poetic celebration unfolds beneath the shadow of the second-highest Moroccan massif. This quaint town, a fusion of history and nature, draws its name from the Arabic whispers of “el qal’a” and the proud echoes of M’Goun, standing tall at 4070 meters.
Along the meandering Dades wadi and the enchanting M’Goun wadi lies the Valley of Roses – a canvas of breathtaking landscapes stretching for untold kilometers. In the embrace of April and May, when the earth awakens, a kaleidoscope of hues bursts forth. Roses, almond blossoms, and golden wheat fields entwine, offering a sensory journey like no other. As the harvest unfolds, orchestrated gracefully by the hands of women, the stage is set for the beguiling Moussem of Roses.
Kelaat M’Gouna, a cultural beacon, becomes a bustling nexus during the Rose Festival, and its heartbeat quickens as the population gracefully doubles. Locals and wanderers alike, enchanted by the promise of perfumes and cosmetics distilled from tender rose petals, pilgrimage to this town. The festival, a triad of enchantment commencing in the second week of May, unfurls a cultural tapestry.
Dressed in splendid attire, the streets of Kelaat M’Gouna transform into a dance of joy and laughter. Traditional rhythms, embodied in the sword dance, the ahidous, and the bee dance, resonate through the air. A crowned Miss of the Roses, a bloom among blooms, glides through the jubilant streets on a floral chariot, an ethereal embodiment of the festival’s spirit.
Woven into the very fabric of Kelaat M’Gouna is the legend of Rosa Damascena, a fragrant tale whispered through time. In the 10th century, Berber pilgrims, returning from Mecca, cradled in their hands the beauty of this flower. Planted with care, these roses found a home in the fertile soil, transforming the region into the esteemed Valley of Roses.
With the arrival of April, the delicate ballet of harvesting commences. Women, beneath the waking sun, delicately pluck the petals, a ritual passed through generations. Nearly 1,000 tons of fragrant petals find their way to distillation factories, where ancient copper stills orchestrate a dance of transformation. Bathed in 700 liters of boiling water, petals surrender their essence, birthing rose water and essential oil – prized not only for its fragrance but as a symbol of beauty and tradition.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the Rose Festival at Mount M’Goun’s feet is a love letter to nature’s artistry and a testament to the enduring romance between the people of Kelaat M’Gouna and their floral companions. As petals gracefully descend and fragrant whispers linger, the festival becomes an orchestrated symphony – a harmonious celebration of tradition, elegance, and the fragrant legacy etched in the very soul of the Valley of Roses.