What is a Riad, Hammam, Kasbah, Souks and Other Moroccan terms

When traveling to Morocco, it is a good idea to note a few specific terms that will facilitate communication and help you get to know the local culture faster. what is a riad ?

Riad

Riad (translated from Arabic as a garden ) is a traditional Moroccan house with a garden or courtyard in the center. The riad usually has 2 or 3 floors, and the windows in the rooms face the courtyard. There is a fountain or lemon tree in the yard. From the riad’s terrace, you can see the whole city. The closed architecture of the riad perfectly protects the privacy of the Muslims living in it and, most importantly, provides excellent protection from the exhausting heat of summer (the temperature rises even to + 50!). In Morocco, many riads are converted into guest houses, the biggest attraction for tourists is their location. The medina streets of Marrakech rarely have officially written names, most streets do not allow taxis, so you will have to find your own accommodation.

Medina

Medina – translated from Arabic means old city. Medina is usually surrounded by a wall, and inside it, there are many small and erroneous streets. If you get lost, ask the locals, but they will have to pay for the show. Have small money with you and give coins for help (definitely no more than 10 DH).

Kasbah

Kasbah (English or Casbah Kasbah) – type city, which has long been the leader for the city to live and to defend against enemy attacks. Some kasbah are built in mountainous areas to make it easier to defend. Kasba is also called the old part of town, as is Medina. Almost every Moroccan city has its own cave in which a king or city ruler once lived. What does kasbah look like? Essentially, they resemble sandcastles, with a cobblestone surrounded by high walls, usually without windows, made of layers of mud and stone. it is home to Ait Benhaddou in the High Atlas Mountains.

Souk

Souk – an Arab trading place, a marketplace, usually under the open sky or on the streets. In Morocco, every city has its own souks, especially the famous huge souk found in the Medina of Marrakech. The basic rule in these souks is to negotiate, negotiate, and renegotiate. Street vendors are smart, have years of sales experience, often speak several languages.

Hammam

Hammam is written in two letters with the letter “m”, so if you want to sound like a local, say haMMam. Why? Because with one letter Hamam means April  Trying a Moroccan sauna, hammam, a must. Many poor local homes in Morocco still do not have hot water, so Moroccans often travel to the hammam at least once a week. Public hammams are separate for men and women. The hammam consists of several rooms, ranging from the coldest to the hottest. By the way, the heat is not the same as in Lithuanian saunas, you will definitely not overheat. A public hammam costs about 10 dirhams (about 1 euro), and when you get there you pay a woman who will scour you as no one has scoured yet. It feels a little strange when you usually wash a half-naked female, but the experience is really interesting. I usually leave about 50 dirhams for scrubbing. The hammam uses a special black soap and rubbing glove, ideal if you bring your own.