Ghita Jhiate manages her unruly stallion. Long forbidden by her father to participate in Tbourida, she finally realised her dream of riding alongside pioneer Zahia Aboulait in 2025. Sidi Rahal, Morocco, 6 August 2025. From the series Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters by Chantal Pinzi/Panos Pictures
More than two decades after women were granted significant legal rights in Morocco, female riders now join a UNESCO-recognised equestrian show of strength.
The pride displayed by the farīsāt (horsewomen) during Tbourida, a ritual dating back 500 years, have been captured by Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi.
Her series Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters, recognised in the 2026 World Press Photo Contest, was selected from 57,376 photographs entered by 3,747 photographers from 141 countries.
“Troupes gallop in unison, firing rifles in a choreographed performance of cavalry warfare,” explained Pinzi in her submission. “Historically excluded, female riders have fought for inclusion since Morocco’s 2004 family code reforms strengthened women’s legal rights. Today, seven all-female troupes now ride among some 300.
“These farīsāt bear significant personal costs, funding their own horses, costumes and gunpowder permits. Their perseverance stands as a powerful claim to women’s rightful place in Moroccan cultural heritage.”
A portrait of Bouchra Nabata’s troupe. Her determination as one of Tbourida’s first female riders helped pave the way for the seven all-female troupes that exist today. Rabat, Morocco, 13 August 2025. From the series Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters by Chantal Pinzi/Panos Pictures
A Tbourida festival where only one of the performing troupes was made up of women. Sidi Rahal, Morocco, 8 August 2025. From the series Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters by Chantal Pinzi/Panos Pictures
Royal Photographic Society members might recognise Germany-based Pinzi as a star of the annual RPS Journal feature ‘Young photographers to watch’. Her skateboarding cover image for the July-September 2025 issue of the RPS Journal was part of the series Shred the Patriarchy, winner of the Sports category in the Professional competition of the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards.
“I’m part of the skate community myself and I’ve directly experienced the deep personal impact skateboarding can have,” Pinzi told the RPS Journal. “Getting on a board isn’t just about sport or tricks, it’s about learning resilience, determination and how to never give up, no matter what.”
The World Press Photo Contest exhibition is showing at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, UK, 12-31 October 2026, as part of an international tour.
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