Fishing for bottles

In the midst of Jemaa el Fna square every evening you can catch a group of locals in a circle doing something which at first looks rather peculiar, and on closer inspection still looks fairly peculiar, if perhaps somewhat more logical than previously. Most British people will be familiar with the fairground game of a hook-a-duck well in Marrakech they have hook-a-bottle, it doesn’t include a water feature or moving targets, but the basic concept is essentially the same. Ever evening one can observe a cluster of people around a collection of bottles using what resemble fishing rods with small hoops on the end of their string attempting to get the hoop around the neck of the bottles. The prize? the bottle of course.

Now this author only knows the prize was a bottle as they asked, finding the game nigh impossible to win. However apparently for the locals it is in fact fairly easy, particularly as the 10 Dirhams (about 80p) playing fee seems to ensure unlimited tries. Either way the game is certainly an enjoyable and authentic way to spend 5 minutes getting progressively more frustrated at a collection of bottles and the encouraging cheering or oooohing and aaahing of the locals certainly adds a very theatrical element to the activity. All in all the game of hook-a-bottle (apparently the locals don’t actually have a specific name for the game) is a most enjoyable part of any experience of Marrakech, as the saying goes ‘all are equal in hook-a-bottle’ the veracity of this saying may be questionable but the meaning rings true and it’s certainly an interesting and fun way to interact with the locals outside of some of the more conventional touristic settings. Our Riads are positioned in the heart of the historic medina in which one finds the square Jemaa el Fna allowing our clients to have easy access to all the wonderful sights and sounds the Medina has to offer whilst staying in luxury accommodation. Why not book a room now and you can come and sample the delights and wonders that Marrakec has to offer.

» Explore the Jemaa el Fnaa Map