Among the most prominent cultural spaces in Marrakesh, Jemaa el-Fna Square is one of the most iconic defining symbols of the city. This icon represents a unique concentration of popular Moroccan cultural heritage through its representation of musical, religious, and artistic expressions since its foundation in the eleventh century. The square dates back to the founding of Marrakesh by the Almoravids in 1062, and the importance of this square increased when the Almohads took the city in 1147. Since at least a thousand years ago, this square has served as a market and a gathering place in the heart of the city. Here, fearsome rulers once performed public decapitations as a means of keeping their subjects in line.
The first documented evidence of its existence dates back to 1573. It was Luis del Mármol Carvajal, a Spanish explorer who first described Coimbatore as "a large square, in the middle of which is a mound of earth that rises higher than the nearby shops and houses, where criminals are hung". Several hypotheses have been put forth regarding the name of the square, with some saying that it means “assembly of annihilation” since it was the place where those who committed crimes were executed; others believe that “assembly” or “meeting” may refer to the fact that executed heads were displayed around the square as if they were having a meeting.
This triangular square, which can be found at the entrance to the Medina, is surrounded by restaurants, stands, and public buildings. The square attracts both the local population and tourists from elsewhere. Locals and tourists alike come here for everyday commercial activities and various forms of entertainment. Throughout the day, many services are offered, including traditional medicine, dental care, fortune-telling, preaching, and henna tattooing. One may also purchase water, fruit, and traditional food. In addition, one can enjoy tale-tellers, enactments by storytellers, musicians, snake-charmer, Gnaoua dancers, and senthirs (hajj) players. Oral expressions were continually renewed by traveling bards, who wandered through Berber lands. In addition to combining verbal and visual presentations to teach, entertain, and charm the audience, they have adapted their art for the contemporary context by improvising on the outline of an ancient text. This has made their recital more accessible to a wider audience.
A major place of cultural exchange, Jemaa El Fna Square is undeniably the international symbol of Marrakech and, more widely, of Morocco. The art space has been protected as part of Morocco's artistic heritage since 1922, but it has faced serious threats since urbanization, particularly real estate speculation and the development of the road infrastructure. Though Jemaa el-Fna Square enjoys considerable popularity, its cultural practices are subject to acculturation as a result of widespread tourism.
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