The Candles Convoy of Salé, also called Moussem of Candles or wax procession,[1] is a festival in Salé, Morocco. It is held annually during the period of Mawlid (commemorating the birth of Muhammad).
Ahmed al-Mansour was impressed by a convoy of candles in celebration of Mawlid during his exile (between 1557 à 1576) in Istanbul. He decided to imitate this Ottoman celebration in Marrakech. He ordered candle convoys in all parts of the kingdom including Salé. This tradition continued around Salé for many centuries.[2]
Moroccans parade carrying large, colorful candles, which they then place at the foot of the mausoleum Sidi Abdellah ben Hassoun.[3]