Culture

Moroccan Culture

Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups, with people coming from the East (Jews, Arabs), South (Africans), and North (Romans). The wide variety of people in Morocco brings along a number of different religions such as Paganism, Judaism, Chrisitanity and Islam. Berbers are an ethnic group of ancient ancestry living throughout Northwest Africa. Today, much of the population (30%) are of Berber origins.

Berber village in the high Atlas, Morocco (Imlil valley)

Morocco also has several local customs, such as;

• taking off shoes when entering a home,
• bringing a gift, such as sugar or pastries, or even a live chicken for a county household, when invited to a gathering,
• many Moroccan foods are eaten with the hands, but it is important to always eat with the right hand, as the left hand is considered dirty,
• Taking photographs of citizens without their permission is also viewed as disrespect,
• shorts and short skirts and low-cut dresses are considered provocative and should be avoided in towns or villages.
  
  

Moroccan Art

-Moroccan art is displayed at several museums, art galleries and souks in Morocco.
-there are many different forms of art created, such as: carpets, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, weapons, and calligraphy.
-there is also an annual international art festival to showcase Moroccan talent

Moroccan Rugs

Souks: or markets, there is a souk in every town in the kingdom. Souks are places to buy local products, settle disputes or debts, and even arrange marriages. Souks are an important form of income for citizens; you can find anything from rugs, souvenirs, ornaments, food, guides, spices, slippers, and traditional art at a souk.

Mosques: holy places that only Muslims are allowed into, the closest a tourist can get to a mosque would be ruins such as Tin Mal and Smara.

Hassan II Mosque in Morocco.

Moroccan Literature

• Moroccan literature is written in Arabic, Berber or French


• The Almohad built the exclusive Marrakech Koutoubia Mosque, famous for its selection of books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops.


• The Almohad Caliph Abu Yakub was a book collector and founded a library, which was eventually carries to the Casbah and turned into a public library.


• Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers such as Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, and William S. Burroughs.


• Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such as Mohamed Choukri, who wrote in Arabic, and Driss Chraibi who wrote in French.
  
• Other important Moroccan authors include Tahar ben Jelloun, Foad Laroui, Mohammed Berraha and Leia Abouzeid.
  

Moroccan Music

• Moroccan music is predominantly Arab, but is influenced by outside cultures. Rock influenced chaabi bands are popular, as well as trance music with historical origins in Muslim music.


• Morocco is home to Andalusion classical music, a style of arabic music found in North Africa.


• Berber folk music: Chaabi, originally performed in markets but now is found at any celebration or meeting, has many varieties and stems from the many forms of Moroccan folk music


• Popular Western forms of music are also becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such as rock, country, metal, and especially hip hop.
  Moroccan Folk Music

Moroccan Dancing

Moroccan Food

• The cuisine of Morocco is a mix of Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Portuguese, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and African foods.


• Moroccann food uses many spices; Morocco grows several spices and foods such as saffron, mint, olives, oranges and lemons.


• The most widely eaten meat in Morocco is Chicken. The most commonly eaten red meat is beef; lamb is preferred, but more expensive.
  
• Couscous, pastille, tanjine, and harira are several popular moroccan dishes. The most popular drink is green tea with mint.

Couscous with vegetables and chickpeas