The Berber Auction (Criée berbère)
On the corner of Place Rahba Kedima, a small space where carpets are still sold by voice, especially in late afternoon. The sellers walk round showing the pieces, the buyers call out their bids. The name is a reminder of a darker past: the square was once a market of the auctioneer's voice, slaves included. It is now a trade show, free to watch. Only bid if you know what you are doing.
History & context
The Berber Auction sits in a recess on the corner of Place Rahba Kedima, in the middle of the souks. The place has a heavy history. The square, of which the auction occupies a corner, was until the early 20th century a market of the auctioneer’s voice, slaves included. The carpet sale inherited the name - the criée - and the principle.
Today, carpets are sold here by voice. In late afternoon especially, the sellers walk round, pieces over their shoulders, and the buyers call out their bids. The carpets - urban, kilims, hanbels, Berber pieces from the High Atlas - change hands with the highest bid.
Watching is free. To buy, it is better to know what the pieces are worth. At auction, prices run away fast.
A corner of a market where carpets are sold by voice - and a name that recalls a less quaint past.
What to see - the highlights
The auction by voice
In late afternoon, the sellers walk round with carpets over their shoulders. The buyers call out their bids.
The carpets and kilims
Urban and rural pieces, kilims, hanbels and Berber High Atlas carpets, laid out or hung all around.
The memory of the place
Rahba Kedima square was a market of the auctioneer's voice until the early 20<sup>th</sup> century - slaves included. The carpet auction kept the name and the principle.
When to go
The moment when the carpet bids run at full pace.
Outside the auction, it is just a corner of the carpet market.
Trade running all the time.
Visitor tips
In late afternoon, at auction hour.
Raising your hand out of curiosity. A bid commits you.
- Watching is free. Only bid if you know what carpets are worth.
- To buy calmly, a shop is a better bet than an auction where prices run away.
- The spot sits next to Place Rahba Kedima. Combine it with the spice stalls.
Location & access
In the middle of the souks, in a recess on the corner of Place Rahba Kedima, near Souk Semmarine. On foot only.
