The buzz about Djemaa el-Fna

Posted Monday, April 02, 2007, 10:24 PM by Lonely Planet

Dov Quint finds there's always room for a little bite of Sheep's Head...

The sprawling maze of mud-brick buildings which comprises much of Marrakesh is about as dense as one can imagine. As they wind through the city, narrow alleys give way to narrower ones. Motorbikes, pedestrians, and donkey-drawn carts all compete for space amongst the shopkeepers and beggars. The experience for a traveller can be intense.

Walking through Marrakesh's old city, or Medina, this seemingly endless labyrinth of alleys suddenly turns into a wide open space. This is Marrakesh's central square, the Djemaa el-Fna. Shopkeepers selling crafts line up next to stands selling freshly squeezed orange juice and dried fruits and nuts. Moving south into the square, several small crowds gather in circles around snake charmers and bands playing Moroccan music.



At the centre of the Djemaa el-Fna are several rows of food stalls. A cloud of smoke looms over the square as chefs prepare snail soup and sheep heads, as well as the more mundane but still delicious kebabs and grilled vegetables.

The Djemaa el-Fna is an outlet for the energy in Marrakesh's old city, that is otherwise unable to be released for the crowded alleys which surround it. As energy pours into the open space of the square, it turns into a wonderous mix of food, music, and entertainment that everyone - travellers and locals alike, can enjoy.

Labels: Africa, Bluelist Winners 2007

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