Watermen, or Gerraba (in Moroccan), start filling Casablanca’s busiest traffic lights and areas three hours before iftar (breaking the fast), but this time not for selling water.
Jawad, a 22-year-old gerrab, is begging in Verdun traffic light, a scene that has become a deja vu to car drivers and pedestrians across the Moroccan economic capital during the Holy month of Ramadan.
“Business is dead during Ramadan daytime, which leaves us with no choice but to beg to make ends meet,” said the young man who declined to give his full name for fear of being ashamed by his family.
“I have six younger brothers to feed and their expenses are beyond my financial capabilities, especially as the second half of Ramadan coincides with the start of the school year,” he sighed, thanking donors for their generosity, without which he would have quit this job he inherited through two generations.
Gerraba are part of Morocco’s colourful cultural heritage and known icons among foreign tourists who are offered a sip of water in a copper mug or bowl by these thirst quenchers as soon they get off their coaches in popular tourist attractions.
However, many tourists complain about being ‘ripped off’ by gerraba who dearly charge them for a photo souvenir.
“A gerrab asked my grandson, who was born in Holland, 100 dirhams (US $12) for taking a photo with him. It’s insane!” said the septuagenarian grandfather.
Another gerrab, roaming the streets of Bab Marrakech in Casablanca’s ancient Medina, declined to be interviewed as he was busy begging in the midst of the crowded market one hour before iftar.
Dr. Saad Guerraoui, Senior Editor
Noam Chomsky: no change in US 'Mafia principle'