Telouet | ⵜⵍⵡⴰⵜ

Glaoui’s official Kasbah

Although the kasbah is quite wrecked from the outside, it still features some of the most beautiful Andalusia decoration with painted cedar ceilings, similar to the architecture seen in Marrakech and Fes. The Kasbah was built in 1860, owned by the Glaoui family. In the early 19s, Thami Glaoui governed Marrakech, therefore the Kasbah become one of his official residences. Thami has made an effort to make it look and feel like a palace. The Kasbah is a testimony of so much History, do not hesitate to hire a guide to talk you through the history of the Kasbah.

Pacha Glaoui

Lord of the Atlas, the governor of Marrakech; The Kasbah was one of the main residences of Thami Glaoui. During the occupation of France, Galoui family was so powerful, they controlled most of the southeast of Morocco. While Thami Glaoui was the Pasha of Marrakech he allied with the French against Sultan Mohamed V. He was declared a traitor and lost all of his dominance after Morocco has gotten its independence.

Ahwach

Ahwach dance is one of the main folkloric dances in the region. Some historians believe the dance first appeared in Telouet. Each year Ouarzazate holds Ahwach festival, featuring Moroccan traditional dances. If you are lucky, you might come across Teloute Ahwach group playing inside the Kasbah.

Ounila valley

Telouete would’ve had a different story without the Ounila valley, Ounila was one of the main passes for caravans coming through Draa valley to Marrakech, Ounila holds many villages and kasbah, among them the most famous one in Morocco, Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.

Telouet Kasbah inside wall decoration