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If you've ever wondered what makes the cobra dance, this is the place to find out. For Marrakesh street performers an ordinary afternoon means out of the ordinary and entertainment.

Enchanted serpent suggests a small part of the action on Djemma el-Fna square. Just inside Marrakesh's ancient rand parts. This is a cultural crossroad of a very theatrical kind. It’s Marrakesh’s answer to the 3 ring circus and it’s been show time here everyday since the 11th century. Every afternoon Djemma el-Fna transforms itself into a festival of sights and sounds.

Here used to be that every city in Morocco had a place like this, a sort of entertainment free-for-all in the center of /town. But the country has moved into the TV Age and people are leaving the old ways behind. Now, Djemma el-Fna is the only one left.

W works to protect this unique part of Marrakesh’s culture as a part of grassroots organization dedicated to the square. It’s essential because it’s the memory of the city if you want to learn the history of this city, if you want to get to know its sensibilities, if you want to learn about its habits, its tastes, its desires, come to the square.


There's something for everyone. Street creatures give salesmen on the crane while fortune tellers read the stars. Public subscribers write letters for the illiterate and herbal pharmacists dispense medicine and advice. But when Marrakeshes wanna just sit back, relax and listen they turned to the story tellers. L is telling the story of the I, the son of a rich merchant is advised by his dying father to live a virtuous life. But he falls victim to temptation and suffers the consequences. Old men and young boys gather around, hanging on his every word.