Gabès Market (Souk Gabès) | Gabes

The Gabès Market (Arabic: Souk Gabès) is one of the most vibrant and historically rooted traditional markets in southern Tunisia. It serves as a commercial and cultural heart of the city, reflecting the oasis’s agricultural wealth, artisan traditions, and position as a coastal trade center. The market combines the atmosphere of a North African souk with the specific character of an oasis town known for both inland and maritime connections.

Here is a detailed look at the Gabès Market:

1. Location and Layout

The main market is located in the Medina (Old City) of Gabès, near the historical heart of the town, close to Bab Bhar (the Sea Gate).

It sprawls through a network of narrow, covered alleyways and open plazas, organized traditionally by trade type: each section or souk is dedicated to a specific product—spices, dates, clothes, metalwork, livestock, and more.

The weekly market (usually on Fridays) expands into surrounding streets and draws people from nearby villages and oasis communities.

2. Market Specialties

a) Henna

Gabès is nationally famous for its henna, derived from Lawsonia inermis shrubs cultivated in the oasis.

Henna from Gabès is known for its fine powder and deep reddish-brown color. Women from across Tunisia purchase it for weddings and religious festivals.

The Henna Market (Souk el-Henna) is a permanent section of the market where it is sold in raw leaves, processed powder, and in decorative packaging.

b) Dates and Agricultural Produce

Thanks to the oasis, Gabès Market offers:

Fresh and dried dates (notably the deglet nour variety)

Pomegranates, olives, figs, and herbs

Seasonal vegetables grown in the oasis' layered agriculture system

Local honey, olive oil, and date syrup are also commonly sold.

c) Spices and Perfumes

Aromatic spice stalls feature cumin, coriander, harissa, saffron, caraway, and preserved lemons.

Traditional perfumes and rose water, often homemade, are sold alongside incense and herbal remedies.

d) Handicrafts

The market supports a rich craft tradition, including:

Wool weaving: blankets, carpets, and traditional clothing from natural wool dyed with local pigments.

Pottery: produced in nearby villages like Ghannouch, known for terracotta and utilitarian ceramics.

Silver jewelry and Berber-style ornaments, including fibulae and amulets.

e) Textiles and Clothing

Traditional Tunisian attire: hand-embroidered tunics (jebba), headscarves, and wool cloaks.

The market offers both traditional and modern fabrics, with tailors and cloth merchants operating side-by-side.

f) Livestock and Animal Products

In the open-air section during weekly market days, locals trade goats, sheep, and poultry.

Animal feed, skins, and leather goods are also part of this zone.

3. Social and Cultural Role

The market is not only a place for trade but a social gathering space. Locals exchange news, discuss politics, and share tea or coffee at nearby cafés.

It reflects the multi-ethnic character of Gabès, with Arab, Amazigh (Berber), and historically Jewish traders contributing to its variety.

Oral traditions, haggling customs, and food preparation techniques are passed from generation to generation within the market.

4. Modern Features and Adaptations

While much of the market retains its traditional format, parts have been modernized:

Permanent shops with tiled storefronts have replaced some stalls.

A nearby municipal market hall offers refrigerated goods and more hygienic food storage.

Still, the authenticity of Gabès Market is preserved in its core traditional souks, particularly around the medina.

5. Visiting Tips

Best time to visit: Morning hours, especially on Fridays when the market is at its fullest.

Photography: Always ask permission before photographing people, especially artisans and spice sellers.

Purchasing: Haggling is expected. Polite bargaining is a culturally accepted part of the experience.

Local eateries: Small food stalls offer brik (stuffed pastry), lablabi (chickpea soup), and fresh date-based sweets.

The Gabès Market offers a sensory and cultural immersion into southern Tunisia’s oasis life. It blends the economic vitality of a coastal trade hub with centuries of oasis agriculture and Berber-Arab craftsmanship, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring the region.