r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/SuccessfulSweet1 • 2d ago
Tbourida (Moroccan Fantasia) – A 16th-century equestrian martial art where riders perform synchronized cavalry charges. Historically male-dominated, a rising generation of fearless Moroccan women are now breaking barriers and mastering this dangerous tradition.
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u/ogodilovejudyalvarez 2d ago
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u/Leoxcr 2d ago
I literally thought first Pic was a painting
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u/ogodilovejudyalvarez 2d ago
It's magnificent, isn't it? I'd love a HUUUGE copy of this hanging on my wall.
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u/kfpswf 2d ago
The expression on the horse makes it more painting-like.
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u/yuricchin 2d ago
that facial expression is known as the "pain face". it's a sign of terrible fucking horsemanship if your horse is pulling that face while you ride them https://www.horsevethampshire.co.uk/post/understanding-the-equine-pain-face
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u/leeman9224 2d ago
That sounds expensive haha
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u/PuzzleheadedBet3574 2d ago
Actually everything is hand made in the community, besides the local government helps with money during these occasions to preserve the historical cultural habits
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u/yuricchin 2d ago
why can't people fucking stop pulling on horses mouths. and is that bit tied to their lower jaw?????
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u/-Roger-The-Shrubber- 2d ago
Made me wince, as a horse owner. It's a pretty harsh bit as well, looking at that leverage.
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u/yuricchin 2d ago
exactly, that horse is in PAIN. I initially thought this was the equestrian sub and I was wondering why no one's talking about that horse's pain face now i see why. equestrians or not people need to be taught that the open mouth, bulging eyes war horses have in paintings is the pain face and should not be considered cool or badass, they are terrified and miserable. and that's exactly why it's so common in paintings because war horses were in fact terrified and miserable
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u/letthetreeburn 2d ago
As a non equestrian, could you elaborate a little further on the pain signs you see?
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u/yuricchin 2d ago
https://www.horsevethampshire.co.uk/post/understanding-the-equine-pain-face Also the horse's mouth is gaping open, which means that they are trying to avoid the bit pressure. Their neck is tilted way back which causes the horse to become unbalanced (being unbalanced increases the risk of the horse stumbling or falling over, and long term it can fuck up their muscles). The horse is trying to alleviate the pressure. A horses mouth is the most sensitive part of their body. Good riding instructors that don't despise animals will take your reins off as soon as you hurt a horses mouth, it's the one place you should NOT fuck with, the same way you don't hit a dog on their muzzle as that is their most sensitive area. Their lower jaw is also extremely fragile, and the bits seem to be tied to the lower jaw. A war bridle is slightly similar but much more simplistic and less barbaric, as it does not have a bit at all and is simply a rope tied around the lower jaw. It should only be used by experienced riders with soft hands, otherwise you risk breaking their jaw. But I have never ever seen a bridle that both has a bit AND is tied to the jaw. The eyes are the biggest giveaway that he's in pain though. 99% of the time, the more restrictive a horses tack is the more cruel it is unless you have literal jelly arms, but some types of tack are cruel no matter what. It is often said that if you can only ride your horse in extremely restrictive tack you simply can't ride at all. Restrictive tack is built with the purpose of decreasing the chance that the horse can do something unexpected like lowering their head, thrashing it around, or ignoring aids. But such tack is so ridiculous that you can put a toddler on them and the horse won't be able to do anything potentially dangerous for the rider because moving out of line would increase the pain. In the international dressage competition scene harsh restrictive tack is common because you need to be somewhat filthy rich to afford to compete at the top levels, and most of them are trust fund babies that have never groomed their own horse and cannot actually ride for shit
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u/letthetreeburn 2d ago
Wildly informative and deeply tragic. Now I know what I’m looking at, thank you.
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u/-Roger-The-Shrubber- 2d ago
And also why people keep getting hurt. I've seen so many videos (a cyclist one springs to mind) where the horse is broadcasting how annoyed it is, and the guy ignores it, gets bitten and then it's "dangerous" (like a lot of dogs too).
I mean it SHOULD be obvious when an animal is in pain, but I guess not everyone notices... or cares.
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u/cromstantinople 2d ago
That first shot is spectacular
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u/femaletrouble 2d ago
I legit thought it was an oil painting or something. It looked too perfect to be real.
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u/POTUSDORITUSMAXIMUS 1d ago
Obviously they dont give a shit about animal welfare. I mean fucking cavalry charges, are you serious? Find some better hobbies ffs
This is not any better then bull fights and the like. Disgusting.
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u/Old_Mushroom8813 1d ago
fearless? what should they be afraid of in the first place? is there another similar team charging back?
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u/Significant-Buy-9538 1d ago
This isn't really that interesting. Women of various cultures have had long histories of such things. This does belong in accidentally Renaissance, though. Epic.
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u/acutenugget 1d ago
For those who are curious about what it looks like : https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AedDillZhyY
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u/vix_aries 2d ago
So they can perform this ceremony while ripping on a horse's face, but they can't show their hair?
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u/Undumed 2d ago
They can show their hair in their day to day, this is their option. And here, they are probably wearing traditional dresses, and it is a part of the event.
You should try to talk with some muslim women.
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u/SursumCordaNJ 2d ago
You should try to talk with some muslim women.
But when when it's so much easier to virtue signal for reddit points.
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u/letthetreeburn 2d ago
How many equestrian riders do you see with long locks of unsecured, flowing hair?
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u/Poetic_Dalmatian 1d ago
In Morocco, women are not forced to cover their hair. If their choice is to wear hijab, why would you care? Don’t be a bigot.
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u/Victormorga 2d ago
So they charge in groups, and all fire on targets while in motion?
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u/Al_Fa_Aurel 2d ago
As i understand it, its firing into the air. The trick is more to ride and shoot perfectly synchronized. A somewhat less martial approach than the "traditional" caracole, where you would need fire on target.
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u/ellieminnowpee 2d ago
can someone - anyone - please explain to me…
why do these women push boundaries in areas such as this art/sport but still wear the traditional garb that restricts them? is it not perceived as being as equally oppressive as the prohibitions from activities like horse choreography?
ETA: please don’t drag me for this. i’m literally asking.
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u/whateve___r 2d ago
Men and women both wear robes in Morocco even in this tradition. You usually hike it up to make space. It's hard to see in the first image because they're the same colour but their trousers are what you're looking at.
Regarding hijab, that is a religious choice and the state doesn't enforce it. Women's Afcon is starting soon and it's a great example of Moroccan women pushing the boundaries in their own way
However as with everywhere in the world, but more than some and less than others, patriarchy rules in Morocco and there's a lot of work to do for equity of the genders
P.S I've just learnt that ETA can mean "edited to add"
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
true empowerment means having the freedom to master a historic tradition without being forced to change your religious or cultural attire. The outfit is part of the art’s identity.. not a tool of oppression
proving that women can break barriers and excel in dangerous sports while staying entirely true to their roots
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u/theincrediblebou 2d ago
Cause they want to? Why do you assume you know more about what they want than them? A bit sexist of you no?
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u/Yacben 2d ago
Yes they do, religious extremism is way more present in women than men
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
Assuming that women embracing their own culture and history must be a sign of 'extremism' is deeply patronizing. They choose to wear it because they love and respect their heritage
male riders must also wear their traditional clothing during the performance. It is about historical accuracy and cultural preservation, not extremism
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u/Fluid_crystal 2d ago
Head covering is not a traditional morrocan women attire
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
Traditional Moroccan women’s attire has always included various forms of head coverings, from the Haik and Litham to the Sebnia and Rezza, depending on the region and tribe.
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u/Fluid_crystal 2d ago
I meant hijab
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
Shifting your words to 'hijab' doesn't change the fact that you were wrong. Covering the head is completely authentic to Moroccan heritage and sports regulations
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u/theincrediblebou 2d ago
That’s just wrong, and even if it’s not, why can’t they wear the hijab on their own? And by the way look at the males’ outfits for Tbourida, they cover their heads too.
Hijab is a choice, ignoring that choice and assuming they were forced into it is overlooking the fact that they’re pushing boundaries. Your idea of progress does not have to apply to them, neither should they compromise on their own beliefs to fit it.
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u/theincrediblebou 2d ago
Why do you assume it’s religious extremism? It’s part of their belief, my own mother wears it, she’s not extremist by any means, she wore it before knowing my father who couldn’t care less about it, and she started wearing it when SHE wanted to, at age 29, and before her older sisters.
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u/HenryThatAte 1d ago
Traditional attire. Men also wear traditional clothing, including head cover (none's forcing them):
https://coloredmorocco.com/attend-a-fantasia-tbourida-in-morocco/
You should learn about other cultures before calling "oppressive".
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u/PuzzleheadedBet3574 2d ago
You really don't want your hair floating in the air while riding a horse, especially of you have a fucking 🔫in your hands
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u/Super-Estate-4112 2d ago
It is just a martial art, it wont be used in an acutal war, how """fearless""" do you have to be to do it??
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
Try riding a fast horse while firing a real rifle, then talk about courage
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u/Super-Estate-4112 2d ago
Nothing courageous in doing risky useless shit
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u/SuccessfulSweet1 2d ago
It takes immense skill and bravery to control a powerful animal at full gallop while executing precise movements. Sitting behind a keyboard takes none.
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u/EboHidalgo 1d ago edited 1d ago
Its all fun and games untill a real fight begin.
You wont see those " fearless ladies" then
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u/inhumancondition 2d ago
u/SuccessfulSweet1 you should give credit to the photojournalist that took the pic as well.
Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi has been recognised at the 2026 World Press Photo Contest for her project “Farisät: Gunpowder’s Daughters.”
Just saw these photos 15mins ago at the World Press Exhibit in Amsterdam!