Siyaha Festival in Siwa
Siwa Oasis, at the foot of Gebel Dakrour
A three-day festival in Siwa Oasis, at the foot of Gebel Dakrour, at the October full moon; in 2027 the full moon falls on 15 October.
Dates
- 14 October 2027 – 16 October 2027 — around the full moon of 15 October 2027; exact days set locally (estimated date)
Source: Vincent Battesti (anthropologue), Siwa : le festival de la Siyaha — accessed 14 October 2026
Key facts
The Siyaha, also called the reconciliation festival or harvest festival, brings Siwa Oasis residents together each year at the foot of Gebel Dakrour. It takes place at the first full moon of October and lasts three or four days, according to anthropologist Vincent Battesti. It coincides with the date harvest.
According to the most common local account, it commemorates the reconciliation of the oasis's two factions, the "Easterners" and the "Westerners". Residents share meals prepared together, and Sufi brotherhoods hold dhikr ceremonies (repeated chants of praise) each night.
In 2027, the October full moon falls on 15 October, around 16:48 local time. The exact days are set locally, shortly before.
Good to know
- Community festival: this is a residents' festival, with no tickets or published official programme. Modest dress and discretion are expected, as everywhere in the oasis.
- Interruptions: the festival was not held for five years after the 2011 revolution; it resumed in 2015. Check locally before building a trip around it.
- Access: Siwa is several hours by road from Marsa Matruh, in the Libyan Desert; a stay of at least three nights is advisable.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Siyaha festival in 2027?
Around the full moon of 15 October 2027, over about three days. The exact days are decided locally.
What happens during the festival?
Residents share meals at the foot of Gebel Dakrour and Sufi brotherhoods hold dhikr ceremonies each night.
Why is it called the reconciliation festival?
According to the most common local account, it commemorates the reconciliation of the oasis's two factions, the "Easterners" and the "Westerners"; today it brings together residents and the Sufi brotherhoods.