Jemaa el-Fnaa – Ba Mahjoub the bird trainer

At the very centre of Marrakech is Jemaa el-Fnaa. For hundreds of years this central square has acted as the beating heart and mouthpiece of the red city, and is home to markets, food stalls and street performers of a huge variety.

One individual you might expect to encounter in the square is Ba Mahjoub the bird trainer. Ba can be found close to Rue Jamaa Kharbouch and Café de France, encircled by his birds who pace calmly around him despite the roaring twenty four hour bustle of the square.

 

Ba’s birds are named Voyageur, Khaloui, Nhassi, Berouita and Taousi and for many years he is trained them and others similar to respond to his commands through a series of simple gestures, claps and whistles.

Ba Mahjoub is renowned throughout the square for being able to make his birds soar onto the terraces of any one of the large café restaurants that hug the perimeters of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, only to recall them in an instant.

Explore the mysterious world of the red city of Morocco for yourself today through the comfort of our luxury Riad Hotels, all located within a few minutes stroll from Marrakech’s central square.

Marrakech Jemaa al Fnaa Map

» Explore the Jemaa el Fnaa Map