6 Moroccan terms you really need to know for your trip to Morocco!

6 Moroccan words you need to know before your trip to Morocco

Souk, Madrassa, Kasbah, Medina? Words that certainly ring a bell and make you daydream about mysterious alleys, exotic squares full of fragrant herbs and colorful mosaics in grand palaces. We list 6 important concepts from Moroccan culture for you.

1. What’s a souk?

You may have wondered where the name ‘Lost in the Souk’ comes from. To answer that question, we must first clarify what a ‘souk’ means exactly.

‘Souk’ is the Arabic name for a covered market where numerous shops are gathered. In villages and large cities in North Africa, the Middle East and several Asian countries, large hordes of people come together to shop here. You will find everything you could possibly be looking for in the souk: from clothing, shoes and jewellery to herbs, vegetables, fruit and traditional products.

In Morocco, the souks in the Imperial Cities are labyrinthine mazes of narrow alleys, where enthusiastic traders offer the most beautiful handmade products: from colourful carpets to refined pottery, from artisanal leather to argan oil of the highest quality.

The souks in Marrakech, Fez and Rabat evoke a mystical atmosphere and contribute to the magic of Morocco. I myself can get lost for hours in the maze of alleys and marvel at all the beauty that I discover again and again. However, it is not obvious to dive into the Moroccan souks during your first trip to Morocco. Therefore, go on a trip with an experienced guide, who will not only take you to the most special places in the maze of streets, but also provide you with a carefree experience, without intimidation from the often pushy sellers.

2. What’s a riad?

If you are traveling to Marrakech or Fez soon, friends who have travelled here before have probably already given you the advice to stay in a riad.

Originally, a riad was a Moroccan mansion with an inner garden (atrium), often characterized by a fountain in the middle of the open courtyard. Riads can often be found in the old Moroccan medinas and were inhabited by wealthy citizens.

In the major cities of Marrakech, Fez and Rabat, many traditional riads have been converted into charming boutique hotels. These special accommodations form an oasis of peace in the middle of the busy medinas. If you are visiting one of the four Imperial Cities soon, consider staying in a riad: this way you can enjoy the traditional Moroccan architecture and Moroccan hospitality!

TIP: Choosing the Riad that suits you and your budget can be quite a challenge. After all, there are endless options and researching the best accommodation can be very time-consuming. In addition, many riads in the Imperial Cities are run by foreigners, which means that your overnight stay here unfortunately does not contribute to the local economy. Lost in the Souk believes it is extremely important to support the right people and find a stay that really suits your travel dreams. Contact us and we will suggest the right riads that will take your trip through Morocco to the next level!

3. What’s a madrassa?

When you are considering a city trip to Marrakech and are looking for the most important sights in the city, you will certainly have come across “Madrassa Ben Youssef”. This former Koran school is a must visit during your stay in the city.

The translation of the Arabic word ‘madrassa’ is ‘school’, but in the Islamic world the word madrassa mainly stands for an educational institution that focuses on religious education. Students (of all ages) study the Koran there, but also the Hadith (the life of Prophet Mohammed, his actions and sayings), Islamic law (fiqh) and Islamic sciences.

Many madrassas in the Arab world have played an important role in the education of famous Islamic scientists and philosophers.

Today, the madrassas of Morocco, especially Madrassa Ben Youssef (Marrakech) and Madrassa Bou Inania (Fez), are visited by travellers from all over the world not only for their historical importance but also for their excellent architecture.

4. What’s a hammam?

In the medinas of the Imperial Cities, you will find buildings with the word ‘hammam’ written on them every now and then. Anyone who has ever visited Morocco will be able to confirm that in the narrow alleys you will even be approached and invited to visit a hammam.

The hammam is a traditional bathhouse and plays an important role in Moroccan culture. During their visit to the hammam, locals follow a structured cleansing process. First, the skin is thoroughly scrubbed with a rough glove, after which savon beldi (Moroccan black soap) is applied and then the body is rinsed with warm water.

The hammam is also an important meeting place for many Moroccans. Moroccan women often go to the hammam with friends or family to relax. Many locals visit the hammam on Thursdays to be completely clean for the important Friday prayer in the mosque.

Today, the Royal Cities are home to many tourist hammams, where you can soak up the atmosphere of Moroccan bathhouse culture, but in a luxurious setting. You will be welcomed in the decor of an often beautiful riad with a glass of fresh mint tea and will completely relax during a private hammam experience (often with an accompanying massage).

TIP: As locals in Morocco, we know where to find the best hammams. Contact us for the best advice on bathhouses in Morocco.

5. What’s a medina?

Madrassas, souks, riads and hammams; they can all be found in the medina or the historical centre of an Arab city. In Morocco, the word medina is used to indicate the old part of the city that is often hundreds, or sometimes thousands of years old. The Moroccan medinas house numerous architectural gems, including grand palaces, colourful mosques and centuries-old madrassas. In addition, a medina is characterised by narrow mysterious streets with high walls and lively souks where you can find artisanal products.

A visit to the medinas of Marrakech and Fez, both of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, should not be missed during your tour of Morocco. You can wander around the maze-like alleys for hours, where you will want to take a photo of special scenes that you encounter every now and then.

6. What’s a kasbah?

The kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou will certainly ring a bell if you have already visited Morocco or are planning to do so soon. But what exactly is a kasbah?

A kasbah is a special type of fortress or fortified settlement with the function of protecting the city and the local community. Originally, the Moroccan kasbahs served as the residence of the sultan or ruler and was an important symbol of power. In addition, the kasbah also functioned as an administrative center and provided shelter to the local community during invasions or wars. Various kasbahs (or parts of the original kasbah) can still be found spread across Morocco. You can visit, among other things, the Kasbah of Tangier or the beautiful Kasbah of the Oudayas with a view of the sea in Rabat.

In the south of Morocco, the word kasbah is also used to indicate the traditional settlements, often built of clay, recognizable by the four watchtowers, which also served as a defensive structure. Anyone travelling through southern Morocco will often pass the route of the thousand kasbahs. On this road you can enjoy the views over lush palm oases where you can spot numerous hidden kasbahs.

The most famous kasbah in Morocco is Aït Ben Haddou, although the word kasbah is incorrectly used here today. A kasbah refers to a single fortified settlement, in southern Morocco this is therefore a single house (or palace) with watchtowers, while a ksar refers to a completely fortified village, built from several clay kasbahs. The correct name is therefore the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.