Morocco Marrakesh Market
The Exotic World of Snake Charmers, Herbal Medicines and Musicians
The market and souks of Marrakesh are arguably the most exciting, enticing and colourful markets in Africa.
Marrakesh and its inner city square Djemaa El Fnaa is immediately fascinating to any visitor. Its ancient history revolves around desert caravans and pirates; its low red buildings are framed by the snow covered High Atlas mountains. The square around, which the city is centered is easily the most alluring of any African market.
Stalls of date and nut sellers and orange-juice squeezers line the perimeter like ordered tiles, with the mosaic in the middle made up of a mixture of traders, food stalls, entertainers, Moroccan revelry and tourists Snake charmers flute their tunes and whirl their heads, more to attract the crowds than to hypnotize the snakes. Fat puff adders and swaying cobras aren't half as dangerous as they look - their fangs and poisonous glands have been extracted. Monkey trainers attract an audience with the promise of a monkey to cuddle your head for a photo, and henna painters promise intricate henna tattoos that will last for only a few days.
Leading off from the square are the countless alleyways of the souks. Everywhere in these souks people are bartering, buying and selling. Wonderful arrays of herbal medicines which will cure anything from baldness to impotence will be sold alongside the latest clothing. Blaring music stands trade next to century old carpet stalls. Vegetable, leather slippers and curio stalls vie for shoppers attention. People stand over huge boiling cauldrons dyeing wool whilst their neighbours measure out spices on old lead scales. Most bartering is done over a cup of sugary mint tea, with chat of family and country giving one an intimate look into the stall owner's life.
As night closes in the main attraction of the square becomes food. Lit by enormous lanterns, open air stalls offer big bowls of cous-cous with lemon and almond chicken, or a crackling hot bowl of snail soup. Musicians pluck away at their three stringed guitars whilst story tellers keep the locals entertained. Nearby the Koutoubia Minaret, the most perfect Islamic monument in Marrakesh and the whole of North Africa, casts a long shadow over the Djemaa El Fnaa square as the sun sets behind the Atlas Mountains.
Click here for more North African destinations Pyramids
