Ouled Berhil: Kasbah, Market and Music

Ouled Berhil brings together an old kasbah, the history of Riad Hida, a rural Tuesday market and local music traditions. Riad Hida is a tangible point of reference for local history and architecture; the market and music add other cultural dimensions. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ouled Berhil, these themes can help you consider what matters to you on your trip: a historic site, market life or musical traditions.

Kasbah and Riad Hida

Riad Hida is located in an old kasbah in Ouled Berhil, 800 metres south of the main road, and houses a hotel-restaurant. It was once the palace of Hida ben Mays, a pasha of Taroudant. This brings together Ouled Berhil’s location and a connection to the history of Taroudant in one place. A kasbah is a traditional fortified complex; here, the term refers to the historic architectural setting.

Palais Riad Hida has ten rooms and eight suites, designed in a refined oriental style. The complex includes an outdoor swimming pool and a furnished terrace overlooking a fountain and a planted garden in the Moroccan style. The garden is planted with palm trees, jacaranda, datura and bougainvillea. The palace serves dishes prepared by the chef and kitchen team. The design distinguishes between the indoor and outdoor spaces: the rooms and suites are styled in an oriental manner, while the garden is in the Moroccan style.

Market and music traditions

The rural market in Ouled Berhil takes place on Tuesday mornings. If you want to plan around market life, this morning offers a specific time to keep in mind. Confirm the timing locally before arranging your day around it.

Ouled Berhil has local music groups associated with the Mizān, Ahwash and Gnawa traditions. If you are interested in music traditions, these three connections offer a different way into local culture than the kasbah or the market.

A festival in retrospect

On 20 August 2023, the eighth edition of the “عوالم موسيقية” (“Musical Worlds”) festival began in the municipality of Ouled Berhil in Taroudant Province. It was held under the motto “التراث في خدمة التنمية” (“Heritage in the Service of Development”). The motto links heritage and development, adding another cultural focus to the local music traditions of this festival edition.

Continuing via the Tizi n'Test

In the wider region, a road branches off to the left towards Marrakesh via the Tizi n'Test, eight kilometres beyond Ouled Berhil. The road is narrow and winding; in winter, landslides or snowfall may lead to closures. If you are planning to continue this way, check current conditions before setting out. Planning therefore involves considering both the route’s direction and its condition, as well as the possibility of winter closures.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ouled Jellal, Ajarif, Tafraoute, Ifri, Takate, Amejgag, Timtig, Tamri

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