Visiting the Souk - Rissani, Morocco

Rissani is a small town that lies at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Before heading out to the desert to experience the dunes, we took some time to visit the small local souk of Rissani. It was, by far, the least tourist-y market we visited in Morocco. Make no mistake, there were merchants waiting for us as we exited our bus, scarves, daggers and fossils in hand. But as we navigated the small market area, we were the only tourists in sight. The market appeared to be geared to the local citizens of Rissani, catering to their needs with fresh vegetables, spices and more. This visit will be told more in photos than in words. The photos are better at capturing the quaint essence of the market than words could ever manage.

After visiting the souk, we were scheduled to visit a mosque and then head into the desert. It was a windy day and I was advised to purchase a scarf. The traditional scarves in this region are indigo. There was a tall merchant who was as friendly as he was aggressive. I told him I would purchase a scarf if he would show me how to tie it. I think I paid the equivalent or three or four dollars for a blue and black scarf. It came in handy once we hit the dunes.

The market provided some respite from the sun, composed primarily of reeds covered with cloth or tarps. The vendors were set up at small table throughout the market. It was early, so the market was not yet in full swing. There were probably a couple of dozen vendors working as we walked through the marketplace. The produce looked fresh.

The souk is fairly centralized in the small town of Rissani. It is hard to miss.

Traveling with a tour group often means that you miss some of the local flavor. Tour groups tend to follow the same beaten path. I like it when a tour group goes off the script and is able to expose visitors to some genuine local flavor. In the case of Rissani, it felt like we were a bit more off the beaten path. We enjoyed the interaction. Of course we had the merchants who were waiting for us as we got on and off our bus, but that isn't going to change. And I don't mind it much. In spite of the guys hawking their goods, we were able to learn a bit about Rissani and visit some of the local shops in the souk. It was a nice experience. If you get a chance to meet Moroccans, I hope your experience matches ours. All of the local people we met were outgoing and friendly. Rissani captured that heart of Morocco with a small town appeal.

All photos are my own. They may be reproduced with prior permission.