Moroccan Culture


Moroccan Culture

Moroccan culture has a centuries-old tradition of openness to the world due to its geographical position at the crossroads of continents that is not new but dates back to ancient times. But Islam that has a profound personality shaped Moroccan culture and made it intimately linked to religion that permeate the rules of conduct, ethics and exchange based on a genuine sense of moderation, reserve and modesty .


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Although modernity is taking over, as adopting the model of Western life seems to be gaining ground at the risk of intimidating and provoking the fundamental secular culture. It remains that this opening should not be construed as an abandonment of the Moroccan cultural exception, but more as a kind of existential search that is not slow in desperation to return to the roots, which is true and deep in every Moroccan whatever his or her degree of modernization.

I might sound a bit exagerating here but I can not stress enough how a respectful attitude is important. People might look modern but this is Moroccan culture, a different culture.

An alien who comes to work, visit or invest in Morocco is to understand the psychology of Moroccans and do not be misled by appearances, and must remember that one is in a foreign country and should respect, and not be considered vulgar, with language and gestures.

It is not a no man's land where one would come with the pretentious condescension to despise the culture, habits and customs of others.

The tolerance that characterizes Moroccans is part of the Moroccan culture and does not mean permission to insult their culture, rape their objection or exploit their talents. As it is useful to recall that Morocco is a large country in history and memory where you can learn if you have the ability to listen , respect and admire.

Language
Moroccan culture is also praised for language diversity. apart from classical Arabic, the language of education, administration and media, the daily language in Morocco is Arabic dialect, Tamazight (Berber) which spoken in the Rif, the Atlas, and the Souss and it varies by region. Most Moroccans speak French, many speak Spanish and English.


Religion

Islam is the official religion of Morocco, but the coexistence with other religions is perfect (the practice of other revealed religions is also guaranteed by the constitution). The day is punctuated by five calls to prayer. It is the Muazzin who announces them at the top of the minaret. During the month of Ramadan, the Moroccans fast, stop drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset. Obviously, their day is modified. Most governments, utilities, buildings and stores adjust their schedules.

However, non-Muslims are to eat in certain restaurants, particularly in hotels. The days drag on but the nights are beautiful!



Kitchen
couscousMoroccan food elegantly accommodates vegetables and fruits bursting with sunshine, rare spices and fragrant, delicate, tasty fish and meat ... The best of oriental cuisine, famous throughout the world, put your taste buds to feast.

The main Moroccan dishes to taste absolutely: Skewers: at the entrance of a souk, a place near a road is cooked before your eyes. It is delicious, quick and economical.

Couscous: it's the traditional family lunch on Friday, but you will find it every day in the restaurant. During your trip you can enjoy many couscous dishes because it varies by region and creativity of the cook. Try not to use a spoon to eat, but rather your fingers, experience Moroccan culture. Mechoui lamb: roasted on a spit or baked. The meat melts in your mouth!



Pastilla: a thin pastry stuffed with pigeon and almonds: the famous sweet to savory Moroccan dish.

Moroccan Tea
There are variations in fish, chicken and even pudding for dessert.
Dishes of Ramadan at sunset the fast is broken (f'tour) with the rich and tasty harira, soup meat, lentils, chick peas, with beghrir, small pancakes honeycomb served with melted butter and honey, shebbakias, cakes fried in oil and coated with honey. This is "light" snack but wait for the real dinner that takes place later in the night.

Tagine: this word refers to both the container (flat earthenware decorated with typical conical lid) and content (stew of meat, poultry, fish and vegetables cooked in, crushed). Taste? you will understand why the tajine is the national dish of Morocco.

Moroccan tea: it quenches thirst, warm, riveted, to drink in the morning, after meals, at any time. A pleasure never refuse. The baking cakes with honey, horns of gazelles, Feqqas almonds, raisins, almonds ghoriba, sesame ... Irresistible!

Know Moroccan Culture
Showing respect to local customs is to demonstrate a basic courtesy to a welcoming country.

To avoid any embarrassing situations and misunderstandings, be nice. Here are some basic rules:

In Morocco, access to mosques and holy places is forbidden to non-Muslims. Some exceptions: Mosque Hassan II in Casablanca, Mohamed V Mausoleum in Rabat Mausoleum, Moulay Ismail in Meknes, Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum at Rissani.

Avoid provocative outfits. Avoid unnecessary attention. Unless you are on the beach ofcourse.

Accept the mint tea, a gesture of hospitality.

If you are invited to share a family meal, you need to symbolically wash your hands in the ewer they will give you. The meal will begin after the householder has pronounced the "bismillah" in praise of God.

Eat with your right hand, taste everything, but do not think you have to finish whatever is on your plate, it is usually impossible!

Avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public during the days of the Ramadan. You might attract unnecessary attention.

The henna is essentially already known to the pharaohs used by women. In Moroccan culture, it has many uses: Cosmetics (its flower provides a perfume, cleaning and dyeing of hair), pharmaceutical (anti perspirant, anti mycosité regulator of sebum secretion,...), Ceremonies and religious holiday s (Ramadan, weddings, baptizing , circumcision). It is an aesthetic temporary tattoo.

If you want to photograph someone, do not forget to ask permission. people will be happy you asked.



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Marrakech souk



5 tips for surviving a Marrakech souk
Visit the many Souks and Medinas of Marrakech to see the locals selling everything from fresh vegetables and spices to leather and jewelry. Be entertained by the acrobats, snake charmers and musicians of Djemaa El Fna square and visit Medersa ben Youssef, a former Islamic college.Marrakech is a city full of many souks and markets, hiding away in the narrow alleys and squares of the Medina's.




Stepping out of a5 tips for surviving a Marrakech souk
Souks and Medinas of Marrakech Tour taxi in the middle of Djemaa el-Fna in the heart of Marrakech is like nothing you'll ever experience – the smell of spices drifting up your nostrils, the shrill cry of a monkey dangling from an unsuspecting tourists shoulders and your own thumping heart in your chest, anxious at the sensory overload that awaits.
Everything about the souks is overwhelming, but it’s one of the most captivating places I’ve ever visited. I don’t think there are many other cities in the world with a personality like Marrakech, and I’ve done a lot of travel.

Specatcular souks
I spent just under a week in the city and visited the souks almost every day – I loved the people watching and the random things I would see and hear, like freely wandering chickens, cats, doped up snakes and the ‘witch dentist’ who ever so kindly offers to remove a tooth for a small fee – funnily enough, I was never tempted by that one!
Throughout this week I learnt a thing or two about how to best navigate yourself through the unexpected and crazy, so here are my tips to help you with your first ever Marrakech souk experience:

1. Be alert, but not alarmed
Sure, there’s a lot going on, people everywhere and it all seems foreign, but take it all in and don’t be too worried about people approaching you. I found locals to be friendly in the city - you will of course get the odd person trying to trick you into doing something like buying a goat from them, but a smile and a stern ‘no’ does the trick in this situation!

2. Visit the souks in small doses
The heat and chaos of the area can get to you after a while, so aim to spend a couple of hours there at a time. Thankfully, Marrakech has loads of places where you can vent your frustrations if it gets a little too much – including the many rooftop cafes where you can sip on mint tea in the shade - the perfect vantage point for escaping the constant barrage of shop keeper sales tactics and attention.

3. Take lots of photos!
You may never visit a city like Marrakech again in your life, so take it all in – especially the weird and wonderful animals and their keepers!

4. Sample all the food you can
I can assure you that your taste buds will also go into overdrive in the souks – whether you’re getting your mouth around some tasty Turkish delight, smoking meat platters, or some sheesha.

5. Know where to find a good evening tipple
There is a growing population of expat-bars now popping up all around the city where you can sample some fine alcoholic concoctions that you’d barely think of as legal in a Muslim country, so there’s no excuse not to relax with a drink or two after a long day sightseeing.
If you feel apprehensive about the souks, then don’t – it certainly pays to be prepared for chaos, but if you take with you some common sense, a thick skin and a penchant for fun, then you’ll have a blast – and maybe even get that root canal fixed while you’re at it.

 On this morning tour you will visit Morocco's most famous souks for an opportunity to be part of the daily hustle and bustle. Shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs of your visit to Morocco as you explore the souk and practise your bargaining skills. In Djemaa El Fna Square, acrobats, snake charmers and Gnawa musicians entertain the crowd while creating a lively atmosphere.Visit Medersa ben Youssef, a former Islamic college named after the sultan Ali ibn Yusuf who was influential in the expansion of the city. Once one of the largest theological colleges in North Africa housing as many as 900 students, the building has been refurbished and reopened to the public as a historical site.Before returning to your Marrakech hotel, you will also stop by a herbalist for a presentation of spices and plants used in traditional Moroccan medicine.


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Jamaâ El Fna

Souks and Medinas of Marrakech TourDjemaa el-Fna square sits alongside Marrakech’s boisterous medina, and during the day suffers when compared to the lively souks nearby. But daytime is not the point of this place. An evening circuit of the square, when its in full swing, and it can seem like all human life is here: the music of snake charmers fills the air; medicine men sit, their exotic wares laid out in front; human pyramids; boxing matches; soothsayers; tattooists; musicians – the list goes on and on, and then on some more. The entertainment doesn’t stop - one of the joys of the square is that what you’ll see will vary from night to night, but it’ll always be eye-poppingly exciting, and quite unlike anywhere else you’ll ever visit. In the middle of the madness are food stalls serving up cheap and delicious grub. Fill up on the chaos, then on couscous



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