Las Noches de la Bella Jarifa, also known as Luna Mora of Cartama, arrives as every year in this municipality in late September.
If you’re in the mood for a lively, candlelit medieval town, or if you missed Guaro’s Luna Mora, you can’t miss it.
In 2019 it will be held from 27 to 29 September in the downtown streets of Cartama.
This event will begin on Friday from 8:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday it will begin at midday; as a new addition this year will be held the Minerals Fair on Saturday from 10.00 am.
What is it about?
There are workshops, parades, belly dancing performances, Falconry exhibitions, Arab costume competition and many other activities that are waiting for you.
What is the Bella Jarifa? The inspiration for this event comes from the old story “Abindarráez y la Bella Jarifa”, a romance that can be read for free in Spanish here.
Activities programme
The activities of the Noche de la Bella Jarifa (Night of the Beautiful Jarifa) are aimed at audiences of all ages:
Friday 27 September
The first night of the Bella Jarifa begins at 8 pm with an archaeologist to learn about the Muslim past of Carthima (Cartama). This activity begins in the Plaza de la Iglesia.
The courtyard of the Town Hall of Cartama will host a Moorish restaurant from 8 pm onwards.
- 8.00 pm – Opening of the Arab souk.
- 8.30 pm – Thematic parade with oriental dances, camels and jugglers.
- 9pm – 0.00am – Medieval children’s corner in Pilar Alto.
- 9.30 pm – Musical performance at Plaza de la Iglesia.
- 10.30 pm – Oriental dances at Plaza de la Iglesia.
Saturday 28 September
Saturday begins with the new inauguration of the Minerals Fair in Santo Cristo from 10.00 am. (Map)
The restaurant in front of the Town Hall will open from 01.00 pm.
- 12.00 am – Opening of the Arabic souk.
- 3 pm – Opening of the Jarifa tea shop at the Courtyard of the Town Hall.
- 4.00 pm – Cooking workshop where you will learn to cook authentic Moroccan couscous.
- 4 pm to midnight – Children’s Medieval Corner at Pilar Alto.
- 6 pm – Puppet theatre in the Plaza de la Iglesia.
- 8.30 pm – Themed parades about the Romance of the Beautiful Jarifa with oriental dances, camels and medieval entertainment.
- 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm – Guided visit to the Water Tower in Cartama Castle from the ascent to the Hermitage. (Map)
- 9.30 pm – Flamenco Festival with Vanesa Fernández, the Flamenco Company “La Lupi” and Arcangel in the Santo Cristo Auditorium. Free entry.
Sunday 29 September
The Moorish restaurant will open from 01.00 pm in front of the Town Hall.
- 12.00 am – Opening of the Arab souk.
- 2.30 pm – Free tasting of Cartameña Salad and Arab Chicken at the Town Hall door.
- 4.00 pm to midnight – Opening of the Medieval Children’s Corner in Pilar Alto.
- 4.00 pm – Reading of Arabic stories in the courtyard of the Casa del Rapsoda Gonzalez Marin.
- 5.30 pm – Children’s Arab costume competition.
- 6 pm – Reading of stories and songs in the courtyard of the Casa del Rapsoda Gonzalez Marin.
- 7 pm – Parade with the characters of the Romance de la Bella Jarifa with oriental dances and medieval animation.
- 8.30 pm – Performance of Arab dances at Plaza de la Constitucion.
Children’s activities
Throughout this weekend, children’s activities will take place in the old town of Cartama.
Workshops for children
Workshops with swords, coats of arms, pottery and wreaths of flowers, among other activities.
- Friday from 9 pm to midnight.
- Saturday from 9 pm to midnight.
- Sunday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Falconry
Falconry exhibitions and flights of birds of prey at Pilar Alto Square.
- Friday and Saturday at 9 pm
- Sunday at 01.00 pm.
Micro-theatre
The narrative of “El Romance entre Abindarráez y la hermosa Jarifa Cartameña”. It will take place at Casa de la familia Ramírez-García en C.Concepción
- Friday from 9 pm until midnight.
- Sunday from 7 pm to 10 pm.
*This is a Spanish expression that can be used to emphasize an insult or praise.
How to get to Cartama and the Nights of the Beautiful Jarifa
If you are still planning your visit our province, you can hire a car in Malaga, but remember to book in advance. Another option is a transfer, for this I recommend malagatransfer.co.uk; however you can check more options from our website for using a taxi transfer or a transfer from Malaga airport.
