Souq often used as in the Grand Socco and Petit Socco of Tangiers. In the sub-continent, a different corruption, 'chowk', is often used in place of souq. The term is often used generically to designate the market in any Western Asian city, but may also be used in Western cities, particularly those with a Muslim community. Documentary sources point to permanent marketplaces in Middle Eastern cities from as early as 550 BCE. A souq was originally an open-air marketplace. Historically, souqs were held outside cities at locations where incoming caravans stopped and merchants displayed their goods for sale. Souqs were established
Souk Erbaa (Sfax) three markets: S"ouk Erbaa El Wesaa" (the wide Souk Erbaa) in the east and "Souk Erbaa El sghir" (the small Souk Erbaa) and "Souk Erbaa Thayak" (the tight Souk Erbaa) in the west. Souk Erbaa El Thayak that was basically a storage place for animals feed, and then for the animals themselves. Afterwards, it became a place for textile trading. The rest of the Souk was specialized in the wool products ("laffa") trading (coats, blankets, chechias, margoums, etc.). Also, it was the trading place for Syrian products ("saya"). Souk Erbaa (Sfax) Souk Erbaa (Arabic: سوق الربع), also known as Souk