Moroccan Arts and Culture

The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is for most travelers a world away from their own cities and towns. The culture and people are usually so completely different from what they know that they often find themselves in situations to which they have no idea how to react. The following brief explanation of Moroccan art and culture is designed to help you get the most out of your stay in this amazing country.

Art
The art of this country is truly special. Many historical examples are on display at the local museums. More modern examples are on display at art galleries and in souks. Beware of cheap imitations though!

There are so many different ways that the people express themselves – in carpets, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, and calligraphy. They even hold an international art festival once a year to showcase all their talent. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this country, you should consider buying some of the local artwork. Not only will it provide you with a little memento of your trip, but it will help out the local people who are usually quite poor.

Culture
Souks are a way of life in Morocco and you usually wont have to go far to find one. You can often get good bargains here, but remember that most Moroccans will have a lot more experience than you will when it comes to haggling the price so you will seldom find yourself able to get better than that which is offered.

You may find, if you are friendly and courteous enough, that you will soon start to make friends with the locals. If this happens and you are invited to a meal, it is good to keep in mind some of the local customs. For example, you will usually take off your shoes when entering a house. You can follow your host’s example in this regard. Also it is a good idea to take a gift of some sort with. If you are in a home in the city you might take some pastries or some sugar with you. If you are in the county it would be better to buy a live chicken for the household which is likely to not be quite so well off. A home invitation is perhaps the most authentic way to sample Moroccan dishes. Most Moroccan food is eaten with the hands. If you are invited to join someone for a meal, you should always eat with the right hand as the left is supposed to be used for the toilet.

Any plans to visit mosques will usually meet with failure as these are considered to be very holy places that only Muslims are allowed access to. Though this is allowed in other parts of the world, the closest you will likely get to the inside of a mosque in Morocco is if you visit some ruins or disused mosques such as Tin Mal and Smara. Most other monuments are on view to the public for a price and you can also observe certain celebrations such as the Imichal wedding Fair.

When taking photographs of the local people, it would be wisest to ask their permission. Taking a photograph of someone with out their permission – especially in rural areas – can cause offense. This may result in them demanding money from you – even if you only intended to take a scenic shot of something. In contrast, taking photographs of someone you have become friendly with is usually very welcome. Often people with whom you’ve become acquainted will take you to a place where they can get a photograph taken with you for themselves. You should not be unfriendly about this as it usually does not result in you paying for the picture or any further harassment.

Traditionally the men take to the streets and the women are in control of their homes. This means that you will not often find woman in cafés or restaurants. If you are a woman and you strike up a friendship, you will likely be invited to the person’s home or to a hamman (bath) for further association. On the other hand, if you are a man or a man and woman traveling together, you will likely be invited into a café for some tea or a meal.

In general, Moroccan culture can be an exiting and worldly experience. The people are friendly and the place is colorful. Hospitality is really a part of their culture so you can strike up friendships virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude. Usually this results in further association with these dynamic and interesting people and a real taste of Moroccan life.

Moroccan Culture, Morocco, Africa

Moroccan Culture, Morocco, Africa

 
Moroccan culture is unique blend of African, Muslim and European. It´s an ancient culture that´s slowly embracing modern western values. The women are still treated very much in the Muslim style, but this is slowly changing because of increasing European influence.

The culture in Morocco, Africa is different to what you´d find in Europe. Although, initially the people might seem hard to get to know, if you´re open minded, friendly and courteous you´ll soon start to make friends with the locals.

You might even be invited in for a meal. If this happens, it´s a good idea to respect the local customs; you are normally expected to take your shoes off before entering a Moroccan house. Also, bringing a gift will is considered normal and is always a nice gesture anyway.

In the city, people often bring some kind of pastries or sugar as gifts, whereas in the countryside, they often bring a live chicken as a gift.

Being invited into a Moroccan persons home is one of the most authentic ways to sample real Moroccan cuisine. In Morocco they eat with their hands. This is perfectly normal here. You must eat only with your right hand though, as the left hand should be used for the toilet.

Unfortunately, most visitors are not allowed into the mosques, so don´t bother trying. Moroccan mosques are considered very holy places and only Muslims are allowed have access to them. Strangely, in other parts of the world entering a mosque is not normally a problem. Having said that, you can always mosques that are disused or are in ruin like Tin Mal and Smara.

Apart from the mosques, most other monuments are open to the general public. There´s usually a small entry fee.

Although, Morocco is a very religious country, culturally speaking, it´s considered to be the least Arabic amongst other Arab countries. Most of the population are in fact, of Berber origin.

Culture of Morocco ..Morocco Cultural Overview

Culture of Morocco
Morocco Cultural Overview

As an Islamic country, Morocco stands out distinctly for a significant reason. Due to the bold and strenuous efforts by King Mohammed VI, Islam in Morocco is rapidly turning out to be a tool to modernize and democratize the country. A revolutionary effort is on the way to reinvent the religion with a tolerant interpretation of the Koran. To aid this mission, the government has launched a website, a radio and a TV channel. Apart from this, religious dialogues are also held inviting the participation of elite public and religious heads. The recent efforts of the government strive to fuse Islam, modernization and civil rights.

Moroccon Languages

Morocco is a bilingual country with Arabic and French as official languages. Arabic is widely spoken by common masses while French is taught in schools. Therefore, French is extensively used in government, business and elite circles. In the city of Casablanca, English is well known and widely used. Spanish is quite popular in the north of Morocco. More than 40% of the Moroccans are of Berber origin. Though Berbers got converted to Islam eventually, their ethnic and linguistic affiliations have remained with them till this day. Therefore, Berber dialects such as Tachelhit, Tamazight and Tarifit are widely used in Morocco, even in journalism and mass media.

Islamic Clothing of Morocco

Costumes differ from town to town in Morocco being influenced by Spanish, Turkish, Balkan, Berber and French traditions. The Moroccan men wear djellaba, a long, loose, full sleeve garment with a hood. A red cap called tarbouche or Fez is worn on special occasions. Also, most Moraccan men and women wear soft, heelless, leather slippers called Baboosh, yellow in color. High-heeled sandals with silver or gold tinsel are also popular among women. The djellabas worn by women are dominated by bright colors and ornate patterns woven by hand, whereas those worn by men are plain in neutral colors. A hoodless type of djellaba called Kaftans is also popular. Despite the high costs of the traditional dress, Moroccans are strongly attached to their dress and purchase at least a new pair every year.

Moroccon Foods

Moroccan culinary traditions are predominantly based on a diet of meat and candies. A rich soup called harira; sweet empanada with meat of dove; cuscus made with semola, egg, chicken, lamb or vegetables; Tajine made with lamb or chicken; chicken stuffed with almonds, semola and raisins; the roasted meat of sheep called mchoui; and the candies of the kab-el-ghzal and almond are some of the delicious dishes of Morocco that would enthrall any visitor.

Moroccon Social Life

Principles of sound democracy are heralded in Morocco and are already on their way to modernize the country. The new family code adopted by the parliament in 2003 has conferred equal status to women in marriage, children and property. Fighting against religious fanaticism and striving to modernize Islam, Morocco is emerging as a model for democratic Islam. Ethnically and culturally, one can say that today’s Morocco is the least Arabic among Arab countries.