Blog #2.14 Exploring Souk El Had in Agadir
Souk El Had in Agadir
For the first time in my life, I walked into one of the biggest souks in Morocco. Souk El Had is a popular market located in Agadir that is filled with many locals and tourists. As I initially walked into the market, my eyes moved in all sorts of directions. A variety of items such as clothes, food, vegetables, spices, and many more are sold in this market daily. The local merchants were enthusiastic about all of their products and excited to see us experiencing Morocco and their shops.
On our journey to explore new finds, my team consisted of Ken, Natasha, and Sarah. I found a couple of local stalls selling argan oil, which can be sold as either a cosmetic or edible product. Argan oil is a staple in Morocco and has been used for many years. The prices vary depending on the quantity of bottled argan oil.
An example of the prices and sizes of cosmetic Argan oil
We were met with great hospitality as we were talking to the vendors in their stalls. They granted us the experience of tasting traditional argan oil, honey, and amelou, which is a mixture of almond butter, honey, and argan oil. After visiting different argan oil stalls, my team deliberated, shared personal perspectives, and reached the conclusion that there are different methods of producing argan oil, all of which can affect the quality of the argan products. At some stalls, the edible argan oil tasted nutty from the roasting process while at other stalls the taste was not as strong and more mild. Afterwards, we further explored other various spots in the souk. Shown below are a couple of examples on what was found when exploring the Souk El Had.
Traditional Amazigh Shoes (Idoukan)
A variety of spices
A variety of spices
Fabric
Accessories
Overall, the walk in the market was an exciting and fun experience. Within the two hours my team was there for, we were only able to explore a fraction of the souk. It was rewarding to meet local Moroccans and converse with them despite the language barrier. Many Moroccans gave us praise and respected our efforts in trying to learn their culture and language. I would recommend everyone who comes to Agadir to visit the Souk El Had. It is a worthwhile experience!
Written by Steve Lee (UC Merced Environmental Engineering Undergraduate)
