The co-operative shops of Moroccan craftsmen, coopartim , operate under state control selling local handicrafts at fixed prices and issue an authenticity receipt or a certificate of origin for customs when exporting. Souks are also worthwhile places to visit for local products. Bargaining is essential, and good buys generally work out at around a third of asking price. In the south there are Berber carpet auctions, especially in Marrakech, Taroudannt and Tiznit. Visitors will need a guide to make the best of these occasions.
Festivities often mark the seasons and celebrate local resources.
Festivals are dedicated to popular art and tradition while moussems are large gatherings paying homage to a holy figure. Events are often organised at the last minute and largely depend on the lunar calendar. Feb '99 Almond Tree Festivities , Tafraout. The National Festival of Popular Art , Marrakesh. Jun 12-16 International Festival, Rabat.