Solemn and festive ceremony to mark crown prince birth celebration
Morocco, Local, 5/16/2003

Celebrations marking the birth of crown prince Moulay Al-Hassan, King Mohammed VI's first son born on May 8th, unfolded this Thursday during a traditional ceremony, celebrated in a solemn and festive atmosphere at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

The ceremony started with the arrival of King Mohammed VI under the applause of the cheering crowd and of notables and guests, in their Moroccan traditional dress (white djellabahs and red fassis). The traditional ceremony, known in Morocco as Sabaa, meaning the seventh day of the newborn's birth, starts with the ritual immolation of two sheep, invoking God the Almighty and consecrating the name given to the baby.

According to the tradition of the Moroccan Royal Palace, the honor to immolate the first sheep is vested on the Minister of Justice, while the King's Chamberlain immolates the second.

The wool of the two white sheep, symbol of purity, is tainted with henna, which stands for life and fertility.

The ritual takes place in a festive atmosphere, wherein colors, music and smell of sandalwood blend to highlight the sacredness of the event and its felicitous range.

Seven rows of seven Royal guards accompany the immolation with the shooting of seven-gun salutes.

Then starts the traditional offering of milk and dates to guests amidst music played by traditional bands of a typically Moroccan music, known as Tabbala and Ghyata, or drums and trumpets.

King Mohammed VI, accompanied by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid and his cousin Prince Moulay Ismail, was then greeted by the Justice Minister and the Chamberlain.

In line with a tradition he instituted since his coming to power in 1999, the king was keen on to reaching out his people, greeting horseman who came from all over Morocco to perform the Moroccan traditional fantasia on this occasion of the Crown Prince birth.

Thousands of people coming from different regions of Morocco cheered the king, expressing their attachment to the King and the throne.

Previous Stories:
  Thirty-three Morocco-born Belgians run for election in Belgium   (5/14/2003)
  King Mohammed amnesties 47,988 detainees on crown prince birth   (5/9/2003)
  Moroccan writer awarded Spanish prestigious prize   (5/8/2003)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search