GW was amazed by hospitality and yummy food in Morocco - in Jemaa el-Fnaa souk, Marrakesh - 4K 60FPS

History of Djemaa El Fna
Djemaa El Fna sprang into life in the 11th century, around the time that the city of Marrakesh was founded by the Almoravids. Historians and locals will argue over whether the square got its name from the fact that public executions were likely held here: one translation is "assembly of the dead." Another translation is "mosque of the dead," which could be a nod to the partial collapse of neighboring Koutoubia Mosque in the 18th century, burying worshippers inside.
For centuries, Djemaa El Fna square was used as a giant food market, with traders flooding down from the mountains to set up under canvas tents each day. Early photos of this era can be seen in Maison de la Photographie. The present boundaries of the square were imposed by the French, as all the buildings surrounding the Djemaa were erected during the protectorate era.
Unesco declared Djemaa El Fna a Masterpiece of World Heritage in 2001 for bringing urban legends and oral history to life nightly, and although the storytellers who once performed here have since given way to communal games, musical performers, and slapstick comedy acts, Djemaa's nightly carnival continues to dazzle. Amazigh musicians strike up the music and gnaoua troupes sing while henna tattoo artists beckon to passersby, and water-sellers in fringed hats clang brass cups together, hoping to drive people to drink. This is a show you don't want to miss, and it's a bargain too: applause and a few dirhams ensure an encore.
So, where are the souks in Marrakech? The Souks of Marrakech are located near the Jemaa el Fna square. If you’re standing in Jemma el Fna (the big square) you’re standing on the edge of the souks. These are the main markets of Marrakech. Souk is the Arabic word for market. There are three main entrances from the square.
At the edges you’ll find that products are mixed together. Lamps, clothing, wood works - everything. You don’t have to wander in more than a few meters to find all of these things. However, if you can resist buying things here, and walk further in you’ll find workshops and specialty areas or the best markets in Marrakech.In the dying area you’ll see the roofs of the walkways covered in colorful yarns drying.
Once near the wood workshops, men will be creating objects on site as many times their storefronts double as their workshops.
In the Ta’ala area is where you’ll see the shops making leather goods.
Other areas such as metalworks and tailors shops are all bunched together to make their goods.
Aside from the ability to see people at work making their trades going further into the souk to shop often means you’ll be able to secure a much better price. If you want to make a big purchase like a rug or leather boots than it’s worth going just a bit further to get a better deal.
Seeing so many people doing this traditional work by hand is something a lot of people want to document. But, take a moment to stop before taking that picture. Many of the people who are working near their shops in the markets in Morocco are ok with having their picture taken but you should ask and take into consideration some of the tips I shared on taking photographs in Marrakech.
Some final tips for visiting the souks of Marrakech:
Resist purchasing items on the edges of the souks as they’ll be marked up and more expensive.
If you’d like any custom work done go directly to the area of the souk where the workshops are and speak with the artisans directly.
Try some of the food being sold in the shops near the workshops. These foods are not made for tourists but for the workers in that area - meaning it’s pretty good!
When you get lost, don’t panic. The roads do lead out, and you can find many signs pointing back to Jemma el Fna, or ask someone.
Watch out for bicycles, donkeys, hand carts and motorbikes as they’re the main transportation used in the car-free areas of the souks.
You’re going to constantly be talked to by vendors. They’ll want you to come in and look at whatever it is they are selling. Don’t feel bad ignoring them but also a simple “no, thank you” is just fine.
Have fun! It can feel very overwhelming but if you go in knowing this and just embracing the chaos you’ll have a much better time.

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Fajne 💪👍