spiritual morocco

You really need to do more independent research to answer your questions. However:

There are many small marabouts up and down the coast, but I do not think that a focus on surfing in Taghazout for such a short time will allow you to experience anything which might be connected with any of them.

Independence Day is November 18, and Agadir holds a celebration. This has no relationship to any spiritual tradition, however.

You might be better off visiting Inezgane, and probably the Akouchar Des Plantes Medicinales there, at 65, Av. Mohamed V.

If you do participate in a moussem or something, I would be interested in hearing your experience.

ainzerka is right - you might want to look at your local library to research the mystical side of Morocco. Please keep in mind when you go there that, although Morocco has a strong spiritual side, they are people like we are. I only say this because I LOVE MOROCCO AND MOROCCANs and I don't want to see anyone being dissapointed by it because it doesn't live up to misleading expectations. Even the most spiritual people need to eat (as in any culture). And there are a lot of large commerce areas - which makes for excellent shopping (but may not seem "spiritual"). You might also want to consider visiting smaller towns if that's what you're looking for - One has to see Marrakesh if you go to more but smaller towns (i.e. Essaouira, Tiznit and Tafraoute) tend to feel less rushed.

You don't need to travel to "find youself" you're right there!

You do know about the earthquake don't you? Agadir was wiped out on 2/29/1960 at 11:40 at night by an earthquake. Prior to that time, most residences were clay-walled and these were destroyed in the 5.7 quake. Over 12,000 people were killed and many children were orphaned. The King took care of these children, ensuring they received education and a new home. That's a book in itself.

Thanks for your advice, ainzerka!

I have been reading up Elias Canetti's "Voices of Marrakesh" etc.
Most of my information about Moroccan spirituality is from http://www.sacredsites.com/africa/morocco/morocco.html. Unfortunately, we will be located on the "wrong side" of Morocco to visit Meknes, Fez and Zerhoun, it seems. I will probably have to make do with Marrakesh and the area around.

Reading some histories right now.

Any reading references on Sufi</b> traditions in Morocco?

Thanks sashac and Andonemorefortheroad too for the ideas ...
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Do a search for posts by GoldenOldie for information on Sufiism. That site is not very helpful, is it? I do like its photographs, though.

Thanks for the book reference--that's one that had eluded me.

You will want to see the Source Bleue in Tiznit. And Tafraoute always seems numinous to me, but I don't really know why.

The shrines in Marrakech are worth visiting, though, like mosques, you can't go inside. You can go into the sanctuary around Zaoiua Sidi Bel Abbes and there is a window off the street at Zaouia Sidi Abdel Aziz el Harar. You can see the shrine by looking through the window and sometimes there are women sitting beside it in a trance. People have fastened locks to the window bars (don't ask me why) but it's pretty striking. I go every day when I'm in Marrakech. (Rough GUide do an excellent map of Marrakech with all seven shrines marked).

If you want a trip, you could climb to Sidi Chamarouch from Imlil. There is accomodation by the shrine which is a big rock painted white with a green flag. Very strange. I think people with mental health problems go up there but, hey, that didn't stop me.

One of the most striking sites in Morocco if you ever get to Rabat is the Chellah. It's like Morocco's answer to Delphi - ancient tombs, Roman ruins, wild garden. There is a pool and spring by one of the marabouts where the gardien feeds hard boiled eggs to the eels. If you are into fertility rites, this is for you.

wow, you guys are fantastic!

ainzerka and sashac - I'll be doing tarradount, tiznit and tafraoute for sure since they're all not too far from agadir.

nusnus - will check the rough guide since the seven saints of marrakesh were on my mind too. i'm sure that everything northwards from marrakesh will be out of our scope. now it looks like the natural beauty around and beyond ouarzazate is out for this trip at least. however, driving down from marrakesh to tarradount over imlil is getting more attractive ...

BTW, i've found http://lexicorient.com/morocco/index.htm a very useful reference

any info/sites/events particularly connected with women-saints or Bibi Fatma would just make my day? that would be just too good ...

let me know if i can ever help with anything regarding Austria and India in particular and Europe in general. a big THANKS A LOT to you :-)