Local Traditions, Marrakesh

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The carpet warehouse is a Government Co-operative retailing genuine quality carpets. We walked up the staircase to the 3rd floor looking for toilets and entered a room where carpets were being manufactured. We were informed this area was for demonstration purposes.

Six months after returning home we are very pleased with our hall runner, it receives plenty of traffic and remains unchanged from the day we purchased it.

We are very pleased with our purchase.

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My wife had knowledge that Moroccan hand made carpets were of exceptional quality and would love the chance to buy one. However she was very aware that it would be very easy to purchase a carpet of inferior quality. It was a worry and chances were we would travel Morocco and return home without a carpet.

Our morning tour with a local guide took us to a carpet warehouse, a business only dealing in genuine, highest quality Moroccan carpets. It was a huge store, we were all seated with either mint tea or coke and the "Show Began". The Showman gave a 10 minute introduction equal to an Oscar Performance, very informative and entertaining with beautiful rugs appearing from nowhere and explaining the knot quantity per square metre, commencing at 140,000 and peaking at 420,000, all hand made by Berber people.

Our tour manager had informed us to halve the asking price and that would be a good price. It worked and after haggling for 10 minutes in Euros I worked down to half price, but he would not accept. I changed to US $ and he immediately accepted. A better deal for me as the Australian $ had a better exchange rate to US $ than Euro. A beautiful 5 metre hall runner. Shipping to Australia was $250 extra, however I took as luggage in my main case and purchased a cabin suitcase (oversized) and moved most of my clothes over. Never queried on the 6 international flights we took before arriving home.

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After the dinner and entertainment we moved from the Dining Tent to the outdoor arena for the highlight of the evening, the Berber Horsemen in traditional dress displaying their superb horsemanship. There were a group of 10 or more horsemen who entertained us for 20 minutes with various riding exhibits.

Undoubtably the highlight of the evening was the Berber charge with horses at full gallop as they came towards the crowd; only metres from the fence firing their rifles into the air, with instant shock to their guests. The crowd loved the show and were rewarded with a repeat charge.

The horsemen were supported by various other entertainers, including a Belly Dancer, Stunt Riders, Musicians, Camel Rides for children and adults and the Fireworks finale.

The whole day and every day you hear typical music to make snakes dancing. Men sitting in Djemma el Fna and catching all tourists, which walk around. In a second you have the snake around your neck and can take a photo.

You won't be able to walk more than a few yards in Djemaa El Fna before you hear the local women shouting at you to come and have henna decorated on your hands. If you don't go to them - they will come after you! Since it was 2 days before Eid ul-Adha in Marrakech and I was going home the next day, I decided to have the henna done.

There are 3 different henna colours to choose from (red, brown and black) and the price will depend on which colour you want and how small or big you want the designes. I chose the black henna, which I was told would last up to a month. It lasted a WEEK!! I paid 100 Moroccan Dirhams for both hands. I'm sure I could have haggled a bit more.

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A few quiet drinks on the way back to the hotel on the last night ended in a surprising way, as three belly dancers emerged stage right to treat us to a display. Pretty girls the three of them so naturally, I had to take photos of them (the third photo didn't come out very well).

This seems to be something that despite Islam, surprisingly spread throughout the Muslim side of the Mediterranean from Turkey in the east. A treat for the social elite in the past, this is done more for tourists these days. I have to admit it was a surprise I saw it Morocco, but ah hec, I may as well enjoy.

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The Mellah neighbourhood was built in the 16th century, during Saadian rule, specifically for the Jews of Marrakech who were moved from the Mouassine area in the Medina. Such was the importance of the Jewish community of Marrakech, that this name was adopted by other cities in Morocco for their Jewish neighbourhoods. Although still possibly a couple of thousand strong, the Jewish community has dwindled down from the number it once was following migrations from the Iberian peninsula in the 15th century, despite tolerance and pride of Judaism in Morocco to this day. Nevertheless, walking through the streets of Mellah, Jewish names of doctors, barbers and shop keepers are proudly displayed and the community seems to live in peace. Though with the migrations out of Morocco, the neighbourhood has gradually been repopulated with Moslem families. The only remaining active synagogue can be visited. It is located in the heart of the neighbourhood not too far from Palais de la Bahia.

If you want to go really local , have a look at this souk.
We had to look for the entrance at first and were
a bit shy to go in. This souk has more then one
entrance by the way.

This souk is where the local housewives do
their shopping. I never saw a butcher with the
meat so fresh....it was running around under the
counter. You could take it home dead or alive.


I didn't went in too deep. I was feeling a bit
sick from the first steps. The intence smell of
fish....the chickens , the dirty floor.
(I'm sorry , I have a really sensible scent)


If you look sharp at the left down corner of
the picture you can see a sheeps head -
the blood has to come out. They are cooked in
one piece. You can order them cooked on
the 'Jemaa-el-fna' square.