May – October 2024
Marrakech conceals a multitude of mausoleums whose fortunes have evolved over the centuries. However, the best known and venerated are the Sabâatou RijÄl, the Seven Saints. An annual pilgrimage, the âZiyaraâ, is dedicated to them, or more precisely to all the saints who rest in the cemeteries of Marrakech.
The origin of this pilgrimage corresponds to an ancient practice of the faithful, the best known illustration of which was the ziyÄra of the Regraga, important Masmoudian family who lived in Jebel al-HadÄ«d. Towards 1687, the ulama of Fez had to pronounce on the authenticity of the ziyÄra of Regraga, at the request of Sultan Moulay Ismail. It was concluded that if the pilgrimage deserved respect, the tradition had no authentic basis.
Sultan Moulay Ismail based his desire to establish the new pilgrimage as well as the order of its conduct on the authority of al-YĆ«sÄ« (1630 – 1691).
The exhibition âThe Seven Saints of Marrakechâ is an invitation to resume these studies and provides previously unpublished iconographic documents., it is also an invitation to better perceive a spiritual heritage fundamentally linked to the life of the inhabitants of Marrakech.
