Reveillion of Taghit in Béchar: A Unique Desert Celebration
Réveillon of Taghit in Béchar is one of the unique events that can open a gateway to understanding the cultural and geographical potential of Algeria. Boasting of being in the Béchar Province of the country, the town of Taghit is part of the great Sahara Desert and is famous for its kasbahs apart from its funny way of comping together to usher in the New Year. The Réveillon of Taghit it is the event that combines tradition and modernity along with the magnificent backdrop of the Algerian desert, and therefore is a must visit.
The Charm of Taghit: A Gateway to the Sahara
Taghit is an oasis town situated in the middle of the sandy desert, precisely the area of the golden sand dunes of the Sahara. Due to its palm groves, ancient adobe houses and marvelous sceneries, the place is perfect for locals and tourists. As a town characterized by its closeness to the vast sandy desert known as the Grand Erg Occidental, there no better place to have a historical celebration followed by magical sand dunes of Taghit.
The Réveillon of Taghit is a lively celebration but my focus will be on the last night of the year when people are very excited and are ready to let go of the past year. This New Year celebration is not like the so-called New Year parties in any city of the world; it has a very strong connection with the Sahara desert and shows the beauty of the lives of the people from the desert.
A Celebration Like No Other: Desert Festivities and Traditions
It is neither only a Réveillon of Taghit related to New Year’s Eve celebration, nor only a party that integrates modern performances with the local and traditional ones. Traditionally, celebrations commence with a march around the village: people wear Berber costumes and pray, sing and dance according to the old traditions.
One of the important elements of this fast: Saharan rhythms, or musical accompaniment, is the creation of which reflects the spaciousness of the desert. Drums, flutes and of course the special Gnawa music is being played, which makes a lively pennomenon, but at the same time the music that can help one relax. Music is entertainment but also a key to spiritual experience by the desert that defines the native culture in the region for centuries.
Surreal Landscape: The Desert Under the Stars
That night, with the darkness of the night coming on, comes the actual celebrations of the Réveillon of Taghit. The over-night temperatures are usually very low in the cold desert and a much better time to explore the region is during night and therefore it is possible to enjoy the night sky for stargazing due to favourable location at Taghit and which is situated in an area that is free from any artificial light interference from other human activities such as city lights. This is probably one of the most beautiful ways I can think of to have a wedding since the stars and the giant expanse of the sky that one will experience while in the Sahara desert makes one feel so close to the heavens that whatever ritual is performed will have a magical touch.
In some of the sections of the celebration groups sit around fire and share tea and stories of the sahara – nomads, tribes of old, and the mystical lifestyles of the sahara. These are traditional folktales which go along generations and establish a relation between past and present.
Adventure and Discovery: A Unique Travel Experience
For tourists who want to capture great impact New Year celebration, then the Réveillon of Taghit in Béchar is a feast for adventurous persons. Taghit is a mix of old and new Algeria; one can walk through the more recent structures, viewing traditional mud brick dwellings; visiting the Taghit Kasbah and the sand dunes that surround the town. For those who want a closer look, camel back trips and overnight stays in examples of a Bedouin life and the stunning beauty of the Saharan dunes are common.
Besides locals’ celebrations, with a focus on tourism, especially desert, the Réveillon in Taghit opens the door to fascinating landscapes. It is therefore with the growing trend in environmental conservation and travelling and sustainability, that the great opportunity presented by Taghit can be viewed as a rare opportunity to experience desert in a responsible manner as to the environment and tradition.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Life, Nature, and Culture
The Réveillon of Taghit in Béchar is an event more than New year event, it is an invitation to discover the Sahara. The overall layout of the event is very charming and unpretentious at the same time; it combines ethnic motifs, music and desert trip. It follows that the Réveillon Taghit gives a local and foreigner a perfect opportunity to establish rapport with the beat of the desert, the people, and the glamour of the Sahara.
For anyone, who wants to see something extraordinary and unique, an amazing event – Réveillon of Taghit – should not be omitted, it will give incredible impressions and leave amazing memories about Algeria and Saharan dunes.
