Essaouira Arts & Crafts
Essaouira (Mogador) is a laid back town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, it is famous for being a
great surf spot because of its windy weather most of the year, hence its
nickname "city of wind" or "windy town"
But other
than that, Essaouira has many other interesting things to offer.. mainly arts
and crafts.
The local
souk inside the medina with its divers small shops will entice you to do some
nice shopping. Essaouira has a variety of products ranging for all of Morocco’s
popular merchandise to the local specialties of the region like thuya wood,
raffia shoes, some amazing vibrant local art, and organic argan oil, which is
Morocco’s liquid gold.
A quick tour of some of the shops and local stores in the medina's narrow streets:
Thanks to
Essaouira's skilled artisans, fragrant thuya wood (a conifer native to northwest
Africa) is turned into all manner of boxes and decorative objects that you
could buy for relatively cheap price.
You will
also find small shops that offer selections of art work by local artists and
artisans, like colorful paintings and prints, hand-woven throws, bags and
jewellery.
Galleries
of retro furniture could also be found in the medina of Essaouira, You might be
amazed by the treasures that those galleries have, from old film posters or
antique Berber (Amazigh) doors that you can get as a souvenir.
Buying a
nice carpet can be a piece of work in Marrakech, but the experience will be
slightly different in Essaouuira, the vendors don't talk too much to make you
feel pressure to buy, plus you will have the opportunity to learn some good
info about the various carpets in display like its age, origin and the meaning
behind seemingly random markings and designs. The prices generally good but
there's always room for some bargaining.
Vintage
silk blankets are not to be missed either, handiras and natural-coloured wool
blankets complete with pom poms. You'll find them as you wonder the tiny
streets of the medina.
Not only
arts and craft, Essaouira can also satisfy your desires in you are into fashion
and accessories. The town has some super stylish stores that offer a nice mix
of Moroccan and Morocco-based designers of clothing for men, women, and
children too.
If you
visit Essaouira during warm or hot times then give yourself the pleasure to
wear sandals or shoes made out of Doum palm fibers. You will find them all over
the medina.
None can
talk about Essaouira region without mentioning Argan oil, the golden liquid of
Morocco.. either for eating, cooking with, or for cosmetic use, Essaouira is
full of shops where you could buy pure organic certified bio Argan oil.. Along
with Argan-based products such as Amlou (similar to jam) or cosmetic products
from skin care to shampoos and soaps.
Spice up
your shopping in the souk by getting for nice spices as well, You’ll find all
manner of potions, powders and pyramids of freshly ground spices.
All that
and more is available all year long and could be explored in less than half a
day in tiny medina. you can do it in the morning and still have enough time to
enjoy the sun at the beach in the afternoon.
But remember to bargain.
