Crafts & Shopping in the Souk
What to buy
You
will find a vast range of wonderful handcrafted goods of beautiful colours, shapes
and textures:
carpets, fabrics, pottery, jewellery, mirrors, bamboo crafts,
fossils, marquetry, lanterns, clothing, spices, perfumes, herbs, nuts,
dates, olives and much more on colourful stalls in the souks.
There are many bargains to be had, especially if you develop the skill of bargaining! The crafts are deservedly fashionable abroad at present; you can buy at a fraction of the price you can buy them at home. It is also fascinating to see craftsmen at work in the workshops in the souks. You can have garments made to measure for very reasonable rates too. Why not buy you birthday or Christmas gifts here instead of at home and thus benefit the local economy?
Where to buy
Marrakech
and
Fez
have a vast range of souks and every conceivable craft for sale. If you
are looking for a more relaxed place to shop then the souks in
Taroudant
- considered to be the best in S Morocco - or
Essaouira,
where there is a much greater feeling of space, are recommended.
Taroudant
is particularly well known for the crafts of stone carving, leather
work, rugs and antique or antique style jewellery. The mother of the manageress at
our guest house
works with Berber silver jewellery and her goods can be bought
at very reasonable prices. Essaouira
is best
known for marquetry made from the scented thuya wood.
The
Medina d'Agadir (8 km south of Agadir) is another fascinating place to visit to see craftsmen
at work. The workshops are set in stunning surroundings. Read more about it on our
Culture/Environment
page.
Responsible Tourism
We encourage clients to buy direct from producers. For example, from a cottage soap making business that we have helped to set up in a mountain village, and the Argan Oil cooperatives helping to support sustainable
management of the endangered and unique argan tree.
In the interests
of conservation and to respect CITES legislation, please don't buy items made from endangered species
or wild animals eg fire bellows and banjos made from tortoise shells
or wild animal skins. If you are tempted by thuya wood products, we
suggest you buy small items, since the Barbary thuya is also endangered.
Naturally Morocco Limited - Experience the Real Morocco
Tel: 01239 710 814 UK local rate: 0845 345 7195
