The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Nov 2014 back issue
by Rachel Carbonell
A medina, "Madīnah" in classical Arabic, is simply an old and usually walled city. The medinas are not unique to
Morocco and are found in many other North African cities. This part of the city is characterized by its very narrow and
labyrinthine streets almost completely free of cars containing mosques, madrassas, souks etc.
Medinas have an almost magical atmosphere where colors make the difference. These colors give each medina its
own distinctive character: from the blues of Chefchaouen, Larache, Essaouira to the ochres of Meknes and Fez. From
the pinks of Marrakech and Tiznit to the whites of Azemmour, Moulay Idriss, Tetuan and Asilah.
Despite these color differences, two qualities are shared by all Moroccan medinas: the wonderful light that is able to
sneak through the narrow alleys and the timeless atmosphere. The medinas are ageless. Despite the disturbing
advance of modernity, the impact of tourism and new western inhabitants, they remain almost unchanged. The
medinas are the heart and soul of Moroccan cities. The atmosphere of the bustling streets caught and seduced me.
This project aims to be a portrait of daily life on those streets through chromaticism and light.
Kasbah of the Oudayas, Rabat, Morocco.
Handicrafts in the blue medina of Chefchaouen. Rif region, Morocco.
Street scene in Azemmour medina, Morocco.
Children playing in the streets of Larache medina, Morocco.
Street scene in the medina of Fez. Fez el Bali, Imperial city, Morocco.
Vegatable and fruit street stall in the medina of Fez.Ffez el Bali, Imperial city, Morocco.
Zaouia funerary mosque of Sidi Ahmed Tijan. Fez el Bali, Fez, Morocco.
Donkey in the medina of Fez. Fez el Bali, Imperial city, Morocco.
Women in a narrow street. Fez el Bali, Fez, Imperial city, Morocco
Woman in front of a wall in Essaouira medina, Morocco.
Elder sitting in Marrakech medina, Morocco.
Woman in Moroccan niqab talking on mobile phone and walking on the streets of the ancient medina.
Elder sitting at his recycled tyres workshop in Marrakech medina, Morocco.
Children playing on the streets of the medina.
Street scene in Azemmour medina, Morocco.
Children playing in the quiet streets of Moulay Idriss. Morocco.
Woman and child walking in the streets of Azemmour medina, Morocco.
Man and horse in the medina of Fez. Fez el Bali, Imperial city, Morocco.
Street scene in Essaouira medina, Morocco.
