Barely does the sun rise when the Amhirich souk, in the town of Guelmim, awakens to an effervescence punctuated by the clicking of hooves and the continuous tumult of bargaining. The brightly colored fabrics flutter in the wind, as does the scent of the spices whose stalls line the crowded aisles.
«This is my third visit here, and I’m still amazed», Confides a French tourist he meets while passing through a shop. For him, Souk Amhirich is a real cultural crossroads that is worth the detour. He is full of praise for the city and its region, described as “fascinating, welcoming and above all full of treasures to discover».
Ali Aït Hamdate, local tourist guide, enriches the story with details on the history of the souk, recounting its distant past as a caravanserai. “Amhirich was an essential meeting point for trade caravans coming from the south, connecting Morocco to the rest of Africa.»
It was Africa’s largest market for the camel trade, attracting traders from Algeria, Mali, Chad and many other countries. Following its expansion 30 years ago, the souk enriched its range of products with specialized pavilions. Since then, a space has been devoted to vegetables, fruits and spices, offering captivating scents, while a second is intended for textiles and clothing, lists our guide of the day.
The third zone, and the most imposing, has retained its original vocation: that of a livestock market, welcoming livestock, between goats and camels, the majestic pride of the region. Faced with such a spectacle, whose authenticity rejects all folklore, it is hardly surprising that tourists find cause for wonder.
