Jemaa

Jemaa is a transliteration of the Arabic word jama’ah, meaning “assembly” or “congregation.” In transliterations, the form Jemaa may refer to the concept itself, to names, or to place names in North Africa and the broader Arabic-speaking world. Spelling variants such as Jamaa, Jama’a, or Jema’a reflect different approaches to rendering Arabic letters in Latin script. In everyday use, the term appears in phrases denoting a group gathering, and in religious contexts to denote a community or collective.

The most widely known use of the name in English-language sources is Jemaa el-Fnaa, the central public square of Marrakech, Morocco. The square sits at the heart of the Medina and is surrounded by markets and historic buildings. It is famous for its daytime bustle and nighttime performances, including storytellers, musicians, dancers, and a dense network of food stalls. Jemaa el-Fnaa is part of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed historic center, reflecting its cultural and social significance.

Beyond Marrakech, the word appears in various place names and is used as a given name in some Arabic-speaking communities. People named Jemaa or Jamaa are typically male, with spelling variants including Jamaa, Jema, or Jema’a in different languages or contexts. The term also connects to related concepts such as jama’ah (the gathered people or community) and Jum’ah (Friday prayers) in Islamic usage.

See also jama’at and jama’ah for related terms.