The Souks of Marrakesh
When you envision the city of Marrakesh, images of its bustling marketplaces, or souks, are bound to come to mind. And for good reason: Marrakesh has the largest traditional Berber market in the country. Although the city does have westernized neighborhoods and shops, it is the souks that cannot be found elsewhere.
The souks begin in the north of the riad at Jemaa el Fna, and continue in a winding labyrinth until they hit the Marrakesh Museum. Historically, all souks were divided and laid out by commodity, with the most valuable products such as gold and manuscripts positioned in the center, then radiating out in descending value. Today, little has changed. Each souk is still named after its specialty, and the same goods have been sold for hundreds of years.
Open from around 9AM to 9PM, the best time to visit is in the morning, when the heat is not too stifling, or in the evening when the sun seeps through the slatted roofs, illuminating a million golden dust flakes inside.
As soon as you enter the souk you are enveloped by a striking and peculiar ambiance. Rich scents of spices fill the air, which, though delightful on their own, become overwhelming when mixed with the smell of leather.
While you explore, shop owners shout from all directions, “Hey Gazelle!” attempting to lure you into their boutique and offer their products. You must brace yourself for bargaining, as they will quickly spot the tourists and raise their prices.
In the souk you can spend hours shopping for traditional shoes known as baboush and traditional clothing known as djellaba, in addition to home goods like rugs or lanterns. It is refreshing to discover unique items that stand out from the merchandise of mass retailers ZARA or H&M.
Mesmerized by the smells and the colors surrounding me, I wandered through the market for two hours. I had 500 diram in my pocket, equivalent to about €50, and I wanted to find a traditional object to bring back home to Paris. With this small amount of cash I was able to purchase three ashtrays, two bowls decorated with traditional artwork, a pair of pink baboush, and traditional argan oil. Only in Marrakesh would I find these precious items.
All images by Venicia Martinet.
