The annual Sbiba Festival brings joy and unity to the Tuaregs of Algeria, commemorating an age-old tradition that dates back to the time of Pharaoh and Moses.
In the arid landscapes of Algeria’s Sahara, the annual Sbiba Festival was recently celebrated with exuberant dancing and traditional songs. The event, rooted in history stretching back over 3,000 years, brought overwhelming excitement to the town of Djanet, a small community of 14,000 in southeastern Algeria.
Preparations had been underway for a week, setting the stage for a 10-day celebration that coincides with the Ashura anniversary. Hassan Sheikh, a 64-year-old participant at the festival, elaborated on its peaceful essence: “Children learn the dances during rehearsals, and everyone has the right to express their enthusiasm,” he said, adding that the festival site “has been here since the time of our ancestors.”
Two Tribes, One History
The Sbiba Festival, which has been on UNESCO’s list of cultural heritage since 2014, reenacts a battle between two Tuareg tribes, the Mihan and the Izlawaz. According to ancient lore captured in the Al Jazeera documentary “Sbiba: Joy of the Sahara,” the festival traces its origins to the time when Pharaoh was drowned. Residents from both the Izlawaz and Mihan palaces elaborated on the significance of “Sbiba Day” and what it means to their communities.
Tuareg historian Mokhtar Ben Omar, featured in the documentary, explained that for the Tuaregs, the lunar months start with Muharram, and the tenth of it is referred to as “Sbiba.” He further highlighted that the celebrations are an expression of joy over the downfall of tyranny, saying, “People have sought to express their happiness about the demise of the Pharaoh. Sword dancing was their way of expression in this valley.”
Time-Honored Traditions
According to tradition, when the tribes learned of Prophet Moses’s escape from Pharaoh’s armies, they formed a peace treaty. Elias Ali, a 73-year-old local, told reporters, “According to our ancestors, the Sbiba Festival dates back to the times of Pharaoh and Moses in Egypt. Our ancestors preserved the history of the day Pharaoh drowned in the sea and celebrated his death.”
In the festival, women, adorned with henna tattoos and heavy silver jewelry, sang to the rhythm of traditional drums, setting the atmosphere for the competition among men. Women play a pivotal role in Sbiba, with one beating the “Iminini” drum to signal the beginning of the celebrations.
The Complexity of Costumes
Sixteen-year-old Dua, a singer at the festival, noted that the jewelry is “like an ornament for women, worn along with accessories.” Sabrina, another 29-year-old singer, wore traditional attire and a large necklace, while an older woman assisted both in dressing. “There’s a woman here specifically to help us wear these clothes,” Sabrina mentioned, to which Dua added, “We can’t wear them alone; it’s difficult.”
War Songs and Peaceful Battles
Men dressed in hats with intricate geometric patterns pretended to confront each other, wielding swords—symbols of high importance to the Tuaregs—while also carrying scarves as tokens of peace. Various songs and poems set the mood but are primarily songs of praise. As they were welcomed as if returning victorious from war, tension escalated between the competitors, who engaged in symbolic peaceful battles.
In a celebration that spans generations and unites communities, the Sbiba Festival serves not only as a lively gathering but also as a poignant reminder of the rich history and profound traditions of Algeria’s Tuaregs.
