The
Regraga are a sub-tribe of the
Masmuda. They are also one of three tribes that formed the population of
Essaouira,
Morocco. The Regraga came from the Jbel Hadid mountains and introduced
Islam to the region; the other tribes were the
Berber Haha and the
Chiadma. In
Tachelhit,
Regraga means those with the
Baraka. The tribe became known by this name since in Pre-Islamic times they held a prominent religious role in the region and were considered as Noblemen. Today, there is an annual
museum of the
Regraga, which is a large
pilgrimage effectuated annually by the Chiadma tribes of the Jbel Hadid and the Haha tribes southeast of Essaouira. It takes place in spring and lasts 40 days. During these weeks, pilgrims visit a series of local
shrines, from the mouth of the
Tensift river south of
Safi to the northern outskirts of the
High Atlas, including the city of Essaouira itself. They are led by two groups that effectuate a kind of round trip, stopping at every shrine on the way. One must dress at every shrine a holy tent made of
fan palm fibres and dyed with
henna, the other one arrives in procession with a muqaddim (religious leader) riding a white horse.
