Samira’s family can be divided into two halves. On both sides, as records are scarce in Morocco, the history of the two halves can only be traced by word of mouth, and back as far as living memory.

Samira’s mothers name is Mbarca Ennaoui. She is married to Mohammed Nya. Together Mbarca and Mohammed had eleven children, Fatima, Moustafa, Attica, Abdullah, Touria, Abdelhak, Abdulali, Abraham, Samira, Morad and Siad.

She was originally from Casablanca, although now she lives with her family in Khouribga, around one hundred kilometres east of Casablanca.

Her father was Bengasm Ennaoui. He was a very strong man, a trait he inherited from his father Mahti. Bengasm, like his father kept traditional Moroccan Barb horses, and participated every year in the Fantasia. The Fantasia is a Moroccan festival, with mock tribal battles on horseback, tribal banquets, music and games. Bengasm lived in Casablanca having moved there from Showeesha.

(left) Bengasm on his favourite Barb Stallion. (below) The Ennaoui's (click to enlarge)- top right; Si Mohamed, top right; Rasheeda, bottom left; Fatna, bottom right; Bengasm. (below further) The wife of Bengasm, Fatna Urmara.

Bengasm was married to Fatna and they together had three children, Mbarca, S’Mohamed, and Rasheeda. Bengasm also took a second wife, as was the custom in those days, and had several other children. with her.

Bengasm’s father Mahti, was from the area of Beni Melal near the Atlas mountains, east of Casablanca. He was married to Aiisha and was a tribal leader and of Berber origins. He was respected as a protector of the tribal encampment. In this role, he had to protect the encampment from desert bandits, bent on stealing women, livestock or the tribe’s prized horses.

At this time, the Moroccan countryside was a lawless place, and on several occasions Mahti had to kill several bandits while protecting his tribe.

As time went on, Mahti emerged as the leader of their tribe, and had several servants (black Africans the descendants of which now live in Casablanca and are still in contact with the family there).

He eventually moved the encampment to the area of Showeesha, which was closer to the Casablanca. Here he continued to breed Moroccan Barb horses and participate in the increasingly popular Fantasia festivals.

Nowadays, Mbarca’s brother S’Mohamed and half brother Abdel Kareem carry on the tradition, breeding Barb horses and participating in the Fantasia festivals each year.

(above left) Abdel Kareem Ennaoui (grandson of Mahti), his son, and Morad Nya (great grand son of Mahti). (above right) Christian Coates (husband of Samira Nya, great grand daughter of Mahti), on the horse of S’Mohamed Ennaoui.