a bit random I know, but has anyone any information or experience of buying big tents / marques in morocco? I've heard of a friend of a friend doing it but can find out no more, all info and opinions welcome.

Cheers James.

There are quite a few towns that seem to specualize in items such as these. One is at Ain Defali [or very close by] on the Ouazzane-Meknes road. The black "Camel" hair nomad style tents can be also be sourced quite easy at many markets and are sold in strips. Don't stand up to wet Euro-Land though.....

Cool, a name at last, it's a start anyway!
We were actually looking for the more arabian style tents, but we're not really fussy so we may well take a detour and have a look there. I guess once you've seen one put up they're quite simple to erect?!? We planned on just taking the fabric and sourcing poles back home from the local forestry, suppose this'll work just as well, and we've no plans to use it in the rain!

Cheers.

Any more info or waypoints welcome!

When are you going down there.

I have one tent here in Spain, great garder feature and I left another at Source Blue Meski......Might sell it!

Hey, thanks for the response, will have a look for this place on the maps. I take it you have connections in Morocco if you've still got one there.
What sort of tents are they that you've got, black/nomad or more arabian style? And have you got any pictures of them / how big are they?
We're looking for quite a big one.

Would be greatful for any details on exactly how/where you bought them (through a dealer or just off a market? with cash / credit card? and how much you paid).

Cheers, James.

Hi Manx

Give me a shout on monteithsmith@yahoo.com

hi ,
Remlia village is real nomadic place .All the people used to live in tents.They are real black tents from the hair of goats , and it is the pure and good tents at all.
Never think that there is a good tent from the hair of camels .
if you need any more info
email me at aghbalouramlia@yahoo.com

>>> We were actually looking for the more arabian style tents.

Perhaps you are refering to the light-coloured (canvas) 'raïma' tents commonly found in Mori. We slept in one on a fly-in tour we did there once and have seen many more since: 4 corner poles sunk deep to sand (no guys) and a central pole, with over-long side sheets which you kicked sand over with sand like a snow valance or roll up to get a daytime breeze through. And a roof covered in colourful Senegalese patterned cloth.

I asked for the price of one of these (in Atar) but it was 100s of pounds and a bit bigger than I would choose. Price seemed plausible as they were huge hand-made items that last a lifetime or maybe longer with a bit of patching. Would have been nice to buy local but in the end I cut one out myself from John Lewis material dept (using old Sen' cloth I had lying around) and got it sewed for 200 quid, making mods on the design to put it up easier (short corner poles on guys (not buried) so it could stand on hard gravel, etc) - handy for quick lunch shade/repairs. Used it on bike tours (and filming when parked up a few days) - very handy spacious and communal shade/shelter - plan to use it again on upcoming trips. 5 x 3 m, 1-2m high, weighs about 15kg, sleeps up to 8.

Hope this helps.

I have a feeling the huge black goat hair tents you see in Mk would be very heavy and take a while to get up - more for transhumance than camping, IMO.

Ch

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