Wed, Aug 29th 2007, 00:00
Essaouira is a charming walled seaside town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
In Essaouira, a vast array of people has passed under its ramparts and through the whitewashed medina with its blue doors. Essaouira has been influenced by various cultures, from Berber to Carthaginian, Portuguese, English and Bambara.
Jewish traders once formed the majority of the population, and it was they who transformed Essaouira into Morocco's most prosperous city in the 17th and 18th centuries. It became an important port, trading European goods in exchange for ostrich feathers, gold dust, salt and African slaves.
These days, the medina with its honeycomb of souks still lends a potent mystique to the town.
The fortified harbour is a hive of activity, fishing nets strewn on the quayside, boats unloading their fish, and stalls serving succulent fresh seafood sizzling on grills. If you are a fish enthusiast, you cannot miss the food in the market. Choose your fish and take it to the small kitchen to get it cooked. They add salad, olives and bread for a fun, cheap and wholesome meal.
Recently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Essaouiras fame is more about culture these days. In June each year Essaouira attracts over 200,000 people united by their passion for music. The streets ring out with the sounds of traditional musical instruments, the guembri and qraqebs, for the annual Gnawa and World Music Festival.
The Gnawa are descendents of African slaves who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco; musicians, initiators and healers whose music and ritual blends African and Arab/Berber customs. During their performance, the musicians call on the spirits to take possession of their followers who fall into trance. This provides a fascinating backdrop for a festival celebrating the rich musical traditions from around the world.
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Essaouira in Morocco, a charming seaside town reviews
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