Day of Wadi ed-Dahab el-Kuvira
August 14, Thursday
History of the holiday
Wadih-ed-Dahab is a region located in the south of Western Sahara, which was under the control of Spain for a long time, and then Mauritania. After Mauritania withdrew in 1979, the local tribal leaders officially declared their support and loyalty to the Moroccan King Hassan II. On August 14, 1979, a delegation of representatives of the Wadih-ed-Dahab tribes arrived in Rabat, where a solemn ceremony took place transferring the region under the jurisdiction of Morocco.
Meaning of the holiday
The holiday symbolizes:
* strengthening of Morocco’s territorial integrity,
* national unity,
* recognition of the historical ties between the Southern Provinces and the Moroccan monarchy.
How it is celebrated
Festivities take place throughout the country, but especially extensively in the southern regions:
* official ceremonies with government representatives,
* cultural events and traditional equestrian shows (fantasia),
* concerts, exhibitions, and sports competitions,
* patriotic speeches emphasizing the importance of national unity.
Interesting fact
Wadih-ed-Dahab-el-Kuvira Day is one of the two major holidays related to the integration of the Southern Provinces into Morocco. The other is Green March Day, celebrated on November 6 and associated with the mass peaceful march of 1975 that led to the return of other territories in the region.