| Learn the local customs of Essaouira. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Essaouira locals. Essaouira Map |
 | Essaouira Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 14 |  |
Driving to Essaouira, I passed many locals riding a donkey and carrying some goods to sell on a local market in Essaouira. I am not familiar with riding a donkey, they live only in the zoo in my country, Poland.
So, I was surprised to see how natives seat on the donkey: with both legs on the same side of a donkey trunk. I wonder why? Well, they dance on a donkey trunk: up-down, up-down haha! Great fun, I must try it next time. Leave a Comment
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Gnawa is a mix of Arabic and Berber music, originating in the sub - Saharan, from descendents of slaves who arrived in Morocco in the 1700's from Central and West Africa.
The musicians traditionally performed at public recitals, or in private trance like rituals (to ward off evil spirits)
Common instruments are drums, a reed pipe and metal 'castanets'
Gnawa music can be heard around Essaouira, and in Djemma el Fnaa in Marrakesh.
Essaouira holds an annual 4 day festival, usually mid June, where Gnawa , Jazz , World music etc is played by local and International musicians, day and night. and all for free !!!
I bought a CD of music from the 2004 Essaouira Festival, Which I'm really enjoying! but I would love to attend this festival one day Leave a Comment
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Strolling around medina, unexpectadly I met a new friend in the center/downtown. It was lonely sheep which didn't allow me to get closer. I was warned not to try to feed or touch any sheep as some of them don't accept such unsheep, human behaviour and the reaction of their owners maybe different as well. You may be asked to pay for a picture with a sheep.
Donkeys are the most common animals in downtown Essaouira and are still used for transportation. Leave a Comment
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There is a certain conservative touch to Essaouira. Local women are more veiled than in other cities. They walk on a street but never alone. Usually they are accompanied by a husband, children or at least one another woman.
I couldn't take pictures of their faces as they didn't allow me to do it. It's a sin in Muslim religion or some folks just don't like it. And their men looked a bit angrily for my camera as I noticed. Leave a Comment
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Argan trees grow prolifically in the area around Essaouira and on down through to Tafroute. Its a nut much like an almond, with a hard shell that needs to be cracked to get to the nut inside which is sought after mostly for the oil that can be obtained.
Products made with Argan oil are in demand and reach quite a high price - its usually women that work in enterprises and cooperatives obtaining and processing the crops - as cooking oils, skin and beauty products and delicious concoctions to drink.
Amazingly goats like these nuts too and will climb up into these trees to eat the leaves and the green fleshly skin that covers the young nut still growing. Its quite a sight to see and glad to have had at least 2 sightings of goats up in Argan trees chomping away merrily during my most recent visit enjoying the stunning coastal drive between Agadir and Essaouira.
Its been said though that tourists are reporting goat shepherds actually tieing goats up into the trees with the specific intention of luring tourists to stop for photos and then charging fees. Thankfully this was not the case with the goats I saw up in the trees - they were indeed freely moving about in the trees, jumping up into the trees or jumping out of them in front of me.
At the first place along the road that I excitedly saw goats up in the trees the woman shepherd came running up for money for taking photos of her goats - which is annoying and does make one wonder that giving money for a public landscape shot with someones goats in it warrants payment and if it reinforces to the locals that tourists will happily succumb to their demands .But on the other hand these people who live out in the country eking out a living reliant on their own hands and physical abilities that the small price we pay is an opportunity to help them along a bit. Leave a Comment
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The Thuya trees which grow in the area surrounding Essaouira, are unique to this area. The fragrant wood is used in different wood craftings. Essaouira provides the best craftsmen, and their work is highly regarded through Morocco.
The trees however, are now becoming an endangered species.
Examples of this woodwork can be seen in the many craftshops and Co Operatives in Essouira. ( Where you can be sure of getting the genuine article- there have been reports of fake Thuya wood articles on sale in other outlets) Leave a Comment
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This is a good address if you want a red or black henna tattoo, perfumes or other cosmetics. This lady is very nice and can do very beautiful tattoes. I tried a black one because it's said to remain longer but it already disappeared after two weeks. Now it's my turn to do it. Hmm, not easy at all !
Au Petit Bonhomme la chance
Rue de la Skala, 24 Leave a Comment Phone: 066014502
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Ramadan does not shut Morocco down. On the contrary, there's a very good atmosphere around, a bit like Christmas. It's a family thing, though, so unless you're invited you'll miss the best parts. Like the incredible "breakfast" Moroccan families share at sunset.
Some shops and restaurants close during the day, others continue to cater tourists as usual, especially in tourist centers like Marrakech, Agadir & Essaouira
Almost all Moroccans fast during Ramadan. They don't consider it a burden, but a celebration. That said, after a week or two some will start showing signs of fatigue and become a bit edgy.
Many shops and tourist attractions have shorter opening hours during the month of Ramadan. After all, working while fasting can become tiresome. You will notice that some people get a bit testy, particularly after the second week of Ramadan.
Restaurants and bars are generally closed during daytime, although in tourist hot spots some will continue to cater to foreigners.
Alcohol shops close one week before Ramadan and re-open one week after. Alcohol can be purchased from large supermarkets eg; Marjanne & Acima during Ramadan providing you show a non-Moroccan passport
There is no law prohibiting non-muslims to eat, drink or smoke during the day and most Moroccans will not mind if you do. On the other hand, they will respect you enormously when you show the courtesy not to do so, at least not in public.
Public transport continues to operate pretty much as usual, although before the evening prayer buses and taxis become very busy with people rushing home for the first meal of the day.
If you're traveling with a tour group, the guide will most likely arrange for activities and meals that work around Ramadan's limitations for foreigners.
Ramadan 2007 is expected to begin in Morocco on September 12 and to end on October 13
The "Eid el-Fitr" festival is expected to begin on October 14.
Note that the exact dates are determined by the sighting of the new moon.
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The color of the traditional clothing of this little girl is what is called the 'Tuareg blue', though not worn only by Tuaregs, but by anybody. If you buy one, you will realize it is very pleasant to wear. Leave a Comment
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The color of the traditional clothing of this little girl is what is called the 'Tuareg blue', though not worn only by Tuaregs, but by anybody. If you buy one, you will realize it is very pleasant to wear. Leave a Comment
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- Villa Maroc
10, rue Abdellah Ben Yassine, Essaouira - Riad Les Terrasses D Essaouira
2 rue Mohamed Diouri, Essaouira - Villa Hotel Damonte
Route d'Agadir Km 6 El Ghazoua, Essaouira - SOFITEL THALASSA ESSAOUIRA
Avenue Mohamed V, Essaouira - Riad Watier
16-18 rue Ceuta Medina, Essaouira - Riad Gemali
6,rue Sidi Ahmed Ouharoune, Essaouira - Riad Casa Lila
94 Rue Mohamel El Qorry, Essaouira - Ryad Mogador Hotel
BP 368 Route de Marrakech, Essaouira - Sofitel Thalassa Mogador
Avenue Mohamed V, Essaouira - Ryad Mogador Essaouira
BP 368 Route de Marrakech, Essaouira - Heure Bleue Palais
2, Rue Ibn Batouta Bab Marrakech, Essaouira - Des Iles
Blvd Mohammed V, Essaouira - Hotel Des Iles
Blvd Mohammed V, Essaouira
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on June 27, 2005
on January 1, 2008
on December 13, 2008
on February 17, 2004
on August 31, 2007
on November 11, 2004
