by Geoff | Jan 2, 2020 | Essaouira, Marabout, Morocco, Northern Africa, Regraga, Shrine, Sufi, Zaouia
The zaouia/koubba of Sidi Ishaq is located beautifully on the Atlantic coast. It is a short caleche ride along sandy tracks from the small town of Sidi Ishaq some 3 miles inland. The caleche park is situated in the centre of the town just off the R301 which...
by Geoff | Apr 26, 2019 | Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech, Medina, Meknes, Morocco, Moulay Idriss Zerhouna, Northern Africa, Tangier
Many cities of any size in Morocco have a Medina ‘quarter’; these are distinct city sections which are often the oldest part of the city, walled, with maze like streets and relatively car free. Many cultural, historical and architecturally interesting features can be...
by Geoff | Aug 12, 2017 | Chefchaouen, Morocco, Northern Africa, Tangier
It was almost 2 years ago that I was in Morocco on the occasion of the Muslim celebration of Eid al Adha, more commonly known as the Feast of Sacrifice, a celebration of significant importance in the Arab world which marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage....
by Geoff | Aug 3, 2016 | Marrakech, Morocco, Northern Africa
‘Saints’ in Morocco have a very different interpretation than those in Europe. In Morocco saints can be ordinary people who had a lifetime of ‘doing good’. Saints can be either rich or poor, educated or uneducated, employed or...
by Geoff | Jun 25, 2016 | Morocco, Northern Africa
Choosing between the sacred and the profane has always been problematic; making that choice at an African music festival is a particularly difficult decision. The Gnaoua and World Music Festival at Essaouira, Morocco, is a unique opportunity to see and enjoy animist... by Geoff | Jun 3, 2016 | Northern Africa
A mellah is a walled Jewish quarter of a city in Morocco, analogous to the European ghetto. Jewish population were confined to mellahs in Morocco beginning from the 15th century and especially since the early 19th century. It first was seen as a privilege and a...
