Moroccan society is a fascinating melting pot of many different cultures: Berber, Arab, Jewish, Muslim, African and European.
The late King Hassan II compared Morocco to a tree with its roots spreading deep into the heart of Africa, its trunk solidly set in the Islamic world, and its branches reaching from Spain, Portugal and France to the heart of Europe.
Morocco is changing rapidly due to modern influences and increased democracy, while its many diverse cultures keep their roots firmly attached to their age-old traditions. These are values that Moroccans hold very dear.
Moroccans boasts a number of striking features; love of music and dance, fine cuisine, warm hospitality, social traditions, diverse geography, religious and ethnic tolerance, Andalusian heritage, and the longest Monarchy in the world. These elements combined have blended to create the Moroccan customs and traditions we enjoy today.
A Brief History
Morocco’s history reflects a long succession of rulers, including Cathagians, Romans, French, Spanish and Arabs and these, along with the indigenous Berber people, make up Morocco’s cultural heritage today.
Historically, the Moroccan empire played a large role in world politics and the legendary cities of Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira, along with their monuments, are a today’s witness to its history.
Morocco's geographically strategic location has shaped its history over the years. Beginning with the Phoenicians, many foreigners were drawn to the area, then Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, and Byzantine Greeks successively ruled the region.
Arab forces began occupying Morocco in the seventh century A.D., bringing with them their civilisation and Islam. The Alaouite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since 1649, descends from the Prophet Muhammad.
Morocco's strategic location and many resources led to early competition among European powers in Africa. France showed a strong interest in Morocco as early as 1830 and following recognition by the United Kingdom in 1904 of France's "sphere of influence" in Morocco, the Algeciras Conference (1906) formalized France and Spain’s joint role in the policing of Morocco. Later, in The Treaty of Fez (1912) Morocco was made a protectorate of France and Spain and they assumed the role of protecting power over the northern and southern (Saharan) zones.
Under the French protectorate, nationalist political parties sprung up. A manifesto of the Istiqlal (Independence) Party in 1944 was one of the earliest public demands for independence. This same independence party subsequently leads the current nationalist movement.
France's exile of the highly respected Sultan Mohammed V in 1953 and his replacement by the unpopular Mohammed Ben Aarafa, sparked more active opposition to the French protectorate. France allowed Mohammed V to return in 1955, and negotiations leading to Moroccan independence began the following year.
The Kingdom of Morocco recovered its political independence from France on 2nd March 1956. Spain, however, retains control over the small coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in the north.
Some Folklore Dances
Morocco has a huge diversity of folklore, principally taking the form of music and dance rituals.
Music plays a large part and Moroccan instruments include simple wooden flutes, single string fiddles and three stringed turtle shell mandolins. There are hundreds of variations of dance traditions, pertaining to all areas of Morocco. Here a few of the more commonly known versions:
The Awash
Originating from the High Atlas and Ouarzazate areas, woman in colorful dresses stand motionless around a group of men sitting around a fire. Each man has a "bendir's" (a round piece of wood with animal hide stretched over it). A sombre silence is broken by a sudden piercing cry and the men begin to beat their drums while the woman sway slowly from side to side. The speed of their swaying and the playing of the drums increase to a grand finale.
The Ait Atta
Similar to the Awash dance and marking the end of the working season. As the weather becomes colder in the mountains, workers get ready to stop work and relax for the winter and celebrate with the dance. Women face the men in a row and dance with enthusiasm.
The Ouais
This is ancient Middle Eastern music accompanied by a simple, ballet-like dance. The orchestra comprises a single-stringed fiddle and some 3 stringed, turtle-shell mandolins. These are played whilst another person keeps beat with a piece of iron hit on the ground. Dancers wear colorful kaftan's, a silk belt and a cord wrapped around their heads. As the dancers alternate their steps together, it is a wonderful sight .
Belly Dancing
A visit to Morocco is never complete without seeing a Belly dance: Morocco is famous for its Arab Belly Dancing, or Dance de Ventre. Unfortunately western civilization has associated it with a sick sense of seduction and eroticism, while nothing could be further from the intention. In fact Belly Dancing is a dance using the stomach muscles rather than the Belly. The Arabs call it Oriental Dancing and it is one of the oldest dance forms, originating with pre-Biblical religious rites of worship for motherhood.
It is believed to have been created as a practical preparation to the pains of labour in childbirth. The purpose is to hypnotize the woman in labor into an imitation of the movements with her own body. This greatly facilitates the birth reducing pain from womb during contractions. The mother can then move with, instead of against, the contractions.
Cultural Dos and Don’ts
If you stay in Morocco for a while and you are respectful of the Moroccan traditions, you may well be invited into a Moroccan home. If this happens and you are invited to a meal, you should keep in mind some local customs:
- It is normal to take off your shoes when entering a house but follow your host’s example and you won’t go wrong.
- Take a gift with you. In the city this may be some pastries or cakes, but if you are in the country in a poorer household, it would be better to buy them a live chicken.
- Moroccan food is eaten with the hands. Remember, always eat with your right hand as the left is used for sanitary needs!
Bear in mind some more customs:
- Don’t walk into a mosque as these are considered to be holy places that only Muslims are allowed to access.
- When you wish to take a photograph of Moroccan people, always ask them first. A photo without permission is sure to cause offense, especially in rural areas. Offer them a small amount of money for the privilege. In contrast, taking photographs with someone you have become friendly with is usually very welcome.
- Be aware that Moroccan women do not generally eat and drink in cafés or restaurants.
In general, Moroccan culture can be an exciting experience. The people are warm, friendly and colourful. Hospitality is an integral part of their culture so you can strike up friendships virtually anywhere, provided of course you respect their culture.
Language
Officially Morocco is a bilingual country, the official languages being Arabic and French. Arabic is what "the man in the street" speaks and French is taught in school, making it more common in government administration and business, and among upper-class Moroccans.
The Arabic spoken in Morocco is called darija or arabe dialectal and it is very different from classical Arabic used to communicate throughout the rest of the Arab world.
Moroccan Arabic has some variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar. French heavily influences the vocabulary of Moroccan Arabic. Therefore, Moroccan Arabic speakers mix in many random words of French, switching without hesitation between the two languages. The result is a mix of dialectal Arabic and French that is very confusing for anyone who only speaks one of the two languages! Certain expressions are usually in French, like numbers and the expressions "ça va" and "d'accord."
Note of interest: Arabic text is written right to left, but numbers are written left to right.
In addition to Moroccan Arabic, there are three main dialects of Berber spoken all over the country. In the north of Morocco, Spanish widely spoken, while in the bigger cities like Casablanca, English is more common.
Interestingly, a few years ago, there were some measures taken to "Arabicize" the language. For example, street names were officially changed from the names of famous French writers or politicians to the names of famous Moroccans instead. Some of the streets are still known by their old names, so it can be very confusing to look at a map or ask for directions. In some map books the streets are listed in a chart at the back of the book with the Arabic equivalents, but it still causes much confusion.
Public Holidays in Morocco
Please consult the Tourist Office for exact dates as the Moroccan religious holidays vary slightly each year.
New Years Day - January 1
Eid El-Adha - February 12 & 13
Good Friday - April 15
Easter Monday - April 18
Eid El-Mawlid - May 14
Late May Bank Holiday - May 26
HM the Queen's Birthday - May 27
Fete du Trone - July 30
Fete de la Jeunesse - August 21
Eid El Fitr - November 25 and 26
Christmas Day - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26
Written by
Tina Andlaw
Tina is a regular contributor of articles for the Moroccan property experts Sunseekerhomes Homes. www.sunseekerhomes.com.