Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
ESSAOUIRA ART NAÏF
Wherever you go in Essaouira, you'll see artists at work, and their paintings for sale in almost every
shop. The local artists were influenced by the influx of Westerners in the 1970s and developed their
own style of naive paintings, mostly using acrylics. It's a mixture of naive and modern art, often influ-
enced by the Gnawa movement, and the artists are self-taught. The paintings are brightly coloured and
often feature musicians or groups of singers.
Shopping
Essaouira has a reputation as an artists' hub, and you'll find several galleries selling works
by local painters. It's a mixed bag of talent and you may need to look in all the galleries
before finding something you like.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Woodcarving Workshops
Essaouira is well known for its woodwork and you can visit a string of shops near the
Skala de la Ville. However, the marquetry work is made from local fragrant thuya wood,
which is now an endangered species - buying anything made from thuya threatens the last
remaining stands of trees by increasing demand and therefore encouraging illegal logging.
Coopérative Artisanal des Marqueteurs
ARTS & CRAFTS
(6 Rue Khalid ibn Oualid)
Come here for fixed-price shopping.
Rafia Craft
(82 Rue d'Agadir)
Along with woodwork, Essaouira's other great product is its raffia work,
made from the fibres of the doum palm. Much of its line is sold to European outlets.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Spice Souq
This is the place to go for herbal Viagra, Berber lipstick, cures for baldness and exotic
spices. You can also buy argan-oil products here, as well as the traditional
amlou
(about
Dh40 per bottle).
FOOD & DRINK
