by Geoff | Nov 20, 2019 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Shrine, Sufi
Some 20 kilometres north of Essaouira is the small village of Moulay Bouzerktoun, named after the Marabout of the same name. His mausoleum/zaouia is part of a mosque complex founded on the top of a cliff looking over the Atlantic ocean. Little seems to be known...
by Geoff | Nov 16, 2019 | Gnaoua, Morocco, Music
“You will fly over the ocean,” he continued, “by the power of baraka, the blessing of Sidi Moulay Brahim, tair lajbal, indicating the spirit bird that flies over the Atlas Mountains” Memoir of a Berber by Hassan Ouakrim The young girl got up from the cushion...
by Geoff | Nov 9, 2019 | Essaouira, Morocco, Street art
These examples of graffiti were photographed around the medina and harbour in Essaouira. Share this: Share...
by Geoff | Nov 9, 2019 | Essaouira, Morocco
Souks and markets are common in Morocco. Here are some photographs taken late in the day from Jotiya flea market, north of the Madina at Essaouira, and next to the Atlantic ocean. ...
by Geoff | Nov 8, 2019 | Art, Essaouira, Morocco
The artist’s studio overlooking the swell of the Atlantic ocean one mile north of Bab Doukalla, Essaouira, is just one part of an idiosyncratic and quietly eccentric art installation which stretches across the world. The installation has been gradually developed...
by Geoff | Nov 5, 2019 | Medina, Morocco, Ouezzane, Sherif, Sufi, Wazzan
Green is the colour of Islam and olives; Ouezzane has both in abundance. Its ancient medina, painted green throughout, is testament to both its Sufi heritage, and associated Quranic link with olive trees, and its cultivation of olive trees locally. In the Quran...
by Geoff | Nov 3, 2019 | Essaouira, Morocco
Last light of day at Essaouira harbour, when colours change and the world becomes a slightly different place. Share this: Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)...
by Geoff | Nov 3, 2019 | Dâr Damânah, Hadj Ahmed Ben Abdeslam, Morocco, Ouezzane, Sherif, Sufi, Wazzan, Zaouia
Below are extracts from ‘My Life Story, Emily the Shareefa of Wazan’, the remarkable account of Emily Keene’s marriage to the Sharif of Wazzan, Hadj Ahmed Ben Abdeslam, an exalted and powerful religious leader in Morocco directly descended from...
by Geoff | Oct 23, 2019 | Marabout, Morocco, Shrine, Sufi
Walter Harris, the adventurer and author, in his 19th century travelogue ‘The Land of an African Sultan: Travels in Morocco’, described Ouezzane as “the most fanatical town that Europeans may visit”. Things may have become less frenetic...
by Geoff | Oct 20, 2019 | Joujouka, Morocco, Music
The taxi driver in the transport hub city of Ksar el-Kebir said he knew the way to Bachir’s house in the village of Joujouka/Jajouka. Liesbeth van Roij and I had decided to see what remains of the legend of the Master Musicians of Joujouka/Jajouka, and had...
