Morocco Travel Guide

CAMP    SITE

CAFE,   REGIONAL

FAST    FOOD,   SEAFOOD

FAST    FOOD

MARKET

SUPERMARKET

Camping Municipal €

Offline map Google  map (    0528   60  13  54; Bab Oulad   Jarrar; per person  Dh36)   This    secure

municipal camp site is next to the old walls.

Eating

La Ville Nouvelle €

Offline map Google  map (    0548   60  09  63; 1st fl, 17  Ave du  20  Août;   mains   Dh35-55;    

breakfast & lunch) At this popular ville nouvelle lunch stop, brisk waiters serve the classic
salads, brochettes and good kefta (spiced lamb or beef meatballs).

Complex Tiznit Essaada €

Offline map Google  map (    0667   67  99  59; Rte d’Agadir;   mains   Dh35-55)    With    an  adjoining   juice

bar and covered terrace, this snack bar does shwarma, paninis, pizza, spaghetti and fish
dishes.

Snack Stands €

Offline map Google  map Along   Ave Bab el-Khemis,  the main    road    through the medina.

Food Market

Offline map Google  map (Ave    du  20  Août)   Good    option  for picnic  supplies.

Idou Tiznit Supermarket

Offline map Google  map (Bab    Oulad   Jarrar) Behind  the hotel   of  the same    name,   selling a   range   of

local and imported food.

BEYOND THE GLITTER

Berber  jewellery   serves  a   much    wider   purpose than    simple  adornment.  The jewellery   a   woman   wears   identifies  her as  a

member  of  a   clan    or  tribe,  it  is  a   sign    of  her wealth, it  reflects    cultural    traditions, and it  has power   beyond  the visual  –   to  protect

her from    the evil    eye.

A   woman   will    receive jewellery   from    her mother  until   she marries.    For her marriage,   her future  husband will    commission  his

mother  or  sister  to  provide jewellery   for her.    These   pieces  will    be  kept    by  her as  a   dowry   and added   to  throughout  her life;   they

will    always  be  made    of  silver, as  gold    is  considered  evil.

Necklaces   are important   –   the traditional assemblage  in  the southern    oasis   valleys sometimes   features    talismans   of  silver,

pink    coral,  amazonite,  amber,  Czech   glass   and West    African ebony   beads.  Women   will    also    own bracelets,  fibulas (elaborate

brooches,   often   triangular, used    for fastening   garments),  anklets,    earrings    and headdresses.    Some    jewellery   will    be  worn

every   day,    while   the finest  pieces  will    be  saved   for occasions   such    as  festivals,  pilgrimages and funerals.

Jewellery’s protective, medicinal   and magical properties  are extremely   important.  The necklaces   contain charms  bought

from    magicians   or  holy    men,    offering    protection  against the evil    eye,    disease,    accidents   and difficulties    in  childbirth. Silver  is

believed    to  cure    rheumatism; coral   symbolises  fertility   and is  thought to  have    curative    powers; amber   is  worn    as  a   symbol  of

wealth  and to  protect against sorcery (it’s   also    considered  an  aphrodisiac and a   cure    for colds); amazonite   and carnelian

stones  are used    in  divining    fortunes;   and shells  traded  from    East    Africa  symbolise   fertility.

Talismans   feature stylised    motifs  of  animals,    sun,    moon    and stars,  all of  which   are believed    to  have    supernatural    powers. A

common  symbol  to  ward    off the evil    eye is  the hand    of  Fatima, the daughter    of  the Prophet Mohammed.   Any depiction   of  the

hand    (which  represents  human   creative    power   and dominance)  or  of  the number  five    is  believed    to  have    the same    effect  as