by Geoff | Jan 1, 2020 | Gnaoua, Marabout, Marrakech, Morocco, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
A gaggle of older men in djellabas were sitting outside of the main entrance into the zaouia of Moulay Abdel Hussein, the grandfather of Moulay Brahim who’s tomb and zaouia resides a little further south in the foothills of the Atlas mountains. Both...
by Geoff | Dec 18, 2019 | Artist, Essaouira, Morocco, Street art
Disparate images from the vicinity of the harbour in Essaouira Share...
by Geoff | Dec 17, 2019 | Essaouira, Morocco
Dar Soltane ( the Sultan’s House built in the late 18th century ) is an impressive ruin in the sand dunes south of Essaouira. It was once the home of the sultan of Morocco, Sidi Mohamed III Ben Abdallah al Qatib. I initially considered including some of the...
by Geoff | Dec 16, 2019 | Essaouira, Juif, Mellah, Morocco
I had lunch today in the old Jewish Mellah in Essaouira, in a restaurant converted on the second ( top ) floor of a former Talmud Torah, or Jewish primary school. On the ground floor the building had been converted into a Day Hospital for people suffering with...
by Geoff | Dec 16, 2019 | Essaouira, India, Morocco, Music
One of the most important things to appreciate about Morocco is to regard legends and traditions with caution. Moroccans are born story tellers and some may welcome association with historical figures or events; embellishing stories and history is not unusual. Jimi...
by Geoff | Dec 12, 2019 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Regraga, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
Rather than portraying each zaouia as a separate blog entry I have decided to present them in groups. Here are zaouias I have visited over the last week or so. They are located in the vicinity of Akermoud and Telmest, almost the furthest that the bus travels north...
by Geoff | Dec 12, 2019 | Art, Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Regraga, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
At dawn, the spirits are lit. Listen to the whispers of the waves Beautiful music, beautiful banner To Sidi Mogdoul I’m heading Great is the joy of Essaouira; Beautiful girls, venerable old men, All are hurrying in the middle of the paths … Some paintings...
by Geoff | Dec 10, 2019 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Regraga, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
The first and starting zaouia of the annual Regraga pilgrimage ( Daour ) is found at Akermoud, a small town to the north of Essaouira. The zaouia contains the catafalque of Sidi Abdellah ou Hmad, a Marabout saint. The Regrega tribe leaders are the descendants of...
by Geoff | Dec 7, 2019 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Shrine, Sufi
For the first time whilst visiting shrines in the Chiadme region I had come across stalls selling items either as souvenirs or for consumption at the shrine as part of a ritual. The shrine was in a small village called Sidi Abdeljalil some 3 kilometres from Talmest...
by Geoff | Dec 5, 2019 | Aisha Qandisha, Gnaoua, Hamadcha, Meknes, Morocco, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
You know that you have arrived at the correct destination when the hotel proprietor seriously enquires whether you would like to sacrifice a sheep the following day in the grotto of Lalla Aisha. I had arrived at possibly the strangest place yet on my travels... 
