Casablanca – Moroccan “Tbourida” will take center stage in Baku this September, as Moroccan photographer and visual artist Mohamed Tazi will present his exhibition “Tbourida, The Living Heritage” at The Ritz-Carlton.
The exhibition opens on September 10, featuring 16 photographs dedicated to Tbourida. The images capture riders, horses, traditional garments, ceremonial formations, movement, smoke, and gunpowder.
Rather than focusing only on the spectacle, Tazi explores what lies behind it. His photographs capture the bond between riders and horses and the precision of their collective movement.
For Tazi, the project offers a way to preserve a tradition while sharing it beyond Morocco. It also gives international audiences a closer look at the heritage that continues to shape Moroccan identity.
“Photography allows me to preserve these moments while also creating a bridge between cultures,” Tazi said in a press release received by MWN Lifestyle magazine.
A living Moroccan heritage
UNESCO recognizes “Tbourida” as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Yet its significance goes far beyond the spectacle of the charge.
The tradition brings together generations of knowledge, from horsemanship and craftsmanship to ceremony and collective discipline.
Tazi’s work captures that heritage through a more intimate lens, drawing attention to the people and connections that keep it alive.
The choice of Baku feels especially fitting for Tazi. He has previously developed photographic and cultural projects linked to Azerbaijan, making this return a natural continuation of that work.
This time, however, he brings something deeply Moroccan to the city. Through “Tbourida,” the exhibition opens another conversation between the two cultures, using photography as its common language.
From Morocco to the world
Tazi’s work extends beyond equestrian traditions. His photography explores culture, heritage, architecture, nature, and human stories, earning him international recognition along the way.
His achievements include gold medals from the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).
His photographs have also appeared in publications including National Geographic, CNN, Forbes, Daily Mail, and Arab News.
That international reach gives “Tbourida, The Living Heritage” another layer. The exhibition brings a distinctly Moroccan tradition into a new setting, allowing audiences in Baku to experience Tbourida through Tazi’s perspective.
Read Also: Beyond Performance: The Spiritual Significance of Tbourida in Morocco
