The Zaouia d’Assa is one of the oldest zaouias in the desert, founded by the resistant sheikh “Iza Ou Yahda”. It is considered a place of pilgrimage for students from various African countries, wishing to memorize the Koran and study religious sciences as well as grammar and rhetoric.
The Moussem of the Zaouia d’Assa, entitled “Malek of the Virtuous”, takes place every year to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). This event takes place around the scattered tombs that house the remains of 366 saints.
It has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
This religious moussem has, for more than 700 years, served as a place of meditation, a market for writers, poets and thinkers, as well as a meeting point for traders and exhibitors. It is also an opportunity for communication and meeting, strengthening family ties between Saharan tribes.