Morocco is a magical, fascinating land, capable of transporting the traveler to a fairytale world of caravans, blue men, sand dunes shaped by the wind, and stars that light up the darkness of the night. A multifaceted state with diverse faces, ranging from the sea to the medinas, tanneries, cities, and deserts. A land of legends told around the fire, traditions passed down and revived, between the folds of space and time, revealing their result today, made up of kasbahs and ksars, oases and palm groves that materialize in the alternating mirages of the desert.
Visit Morocco with us! 28th October – 4th November 2026
That’s what we want to share with you during your experience in Morocco, and that’s why we’ve decided to create a journey with us! A small group of 10 people, plus Leonardo and I, crossing the threshold of history, of mystery, to delve into its deepest soul, into those emotions that will leave an indelible mark.
Because we know, every place we visit always leaves a little of itself and always takes a little of us.
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Gnawa Music: Between Mysticism and Trance
Sliding over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, you reach the village of Khamila. It’s not particularly interesting if it weren’t for the jewel it hides: the Gnawa community. Known for its spiritual and hypnotic chants, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Berbers of nearby Merzouga call the village of Khamlia “the village of the blacks”. That’s where the Gnawa tradition has been perpetuated for centuries, a legacy born from the traditions of former sub-Saharan slaves, who have maintained rites of possession, healing, and spirituality, blending them with Arab and Berber influences.
Over time, the inhabitants established music and dance schools presided over by the “Maalem”, the master of the brotherhood. The master plays the “Guembro”, the three-stringed lute carved from wood and covered in goatskin, the beating heart of Gnawa music. Other characteristic instruments include the “qraqeb”, iron castanets with a metallic rhythm, and the “tbel”, a drum played with sticks that builds energy during more intense sessions.
The origin of Gnawa music in Morocco
Gnawa music originated as a ritual form, the “Lila”, and its purpose is to accompany nighttime ceremonies that last until dawn. Through these ceremonies people invoke protective spirits and connect the devotee with supernatural entities, the Melek, to request graces, blessings, or healing. In a broader cultural context, the same instruments and songs are heard in a concert-style performance. The music is accompanied by dancing and the spreading of incense into the air. An experience of purification, liberation, and mysticism.
The Rissani Market: A Local Experience
Rissani is a small village located in southeastern Morocco, not far from Erfoud. Between the 8th and 14th centuries, Rissani was the capital of the Emirate of Sijilmassa, founded in 707 AD. It occupied a central position in the trans-Saharan caravan trade. Today it’s a meeting point for locals. You can easily see the unusual “donkey parking”, the quintessential means of transport for people and goods!
It is an authentic market, where tradition reigns supreme. There locals meet to bargain and you can lose yourself among the stalls. That’s how you’ll discover unforgettable places! By leaving the main streets, mingling with the population, observing, exploring, and forgetting that you are a “foreigner”. Only then do places begin to flow within us, becoming part of us.
The market is held three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. It is divided into clearly defined areas:
- Spices and Dates Rissani is nestled in Morocco’s largest palm grove (over 700,000 trees!), where some of the finest dates in the world are produced.
- Livestock An area dedicated to the sale of donkeys, goats, and sheep, divided into various sectors.
- Crafts Here, you’ll find traditional clothing sold by women and traditional objects.
Don’t miss the “Berber pizza”, medfouna, a typical dish of southern Morocco, prepared by Berber families for generations. It’s a round bread of semolina dough with minced meat, onions, aromatic herbs, and spices, baked in hot sand or ash, which gives it a distinctive smoky flavor.
Ancient fortresses in Morocco
In addition to the market, Rissani is home to two ksars, ancient fortresses where powerful families once lived. These fortresses, made of straw, wood, and reeds, included hammams, courtyards, and a space for slaves.
Thanks to government subsidies, Ksar El Fida houses a museum that you can visit only with a guide, a relative of the ksar’s original owner. The guide narrates the history with anecdotes, such as the fact that the beehives used to produce honey were housed in wooden containers embedded in the walls. Visiting Rissani means immersing yourself in the heart of Moroccan and Saharan history.
An extraordinary experience, to take home the most authentic souvenir: wonder. Come with us!