Morocco Culture
Morocco is a country with a multiethnic society and rich culture, civilization and etiquette. Throughout the history of Morocco, Morocco hosted many people in addition to the indigenous Berbers, coming from East (Phoenicians, Arabs), South Africa (SSA) and North (Romans, Vandals the Andalusian Muslims and Jews). All of these have left an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It has also hosted many forms of beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam. Each region has its own specificity, thus contributing to the national culture. Morocco has set among its priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
The exotic allure of Morocco is imprinted into the cultural psyche of Britons. Shakespeare is said to have been inspired by the Moroccan ambassador to the Court of Queen Elizabeth I, Abdel-Messaoud Ben Mohammed Ben Ouahed Anoun, for his character Othello. Sir Winston Churchill, an ardent admirer of Morocco, recounted the beauty of Marrakech in his Memoires. Now, the British public can experience the modern face of Moroccan crafts and culinary expertise, where traditional artisan skills are interpreted for a discerning, contemporary audience.
In the political world, Morocco is considered an African state. The majority of the population of Morocco is Arabic for identity. At least one third of the population speaks the Amazigh language. During the Islamic expansion, some Arabs came to Morocco and settled in the flat regions as Tadla and Doukkala. For example, there are groups called Charkawa and Arbawa who settled in Morocco from Arabia. The Charkawa claimed descent from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam.
Morocco is considered by some as an Arab-Berber country. Others insist on the Berber-African identity of Morocco.
The classical Arabic is the official language of Morocco, rather than a native language and is used in a socio-economic and cultural formal and limited range of activities (such as newspapers and official documents), in competition with the French and until recently, Berber. The languages most commonly spoken in Morocco are Berber and Moroccan Arabic.
Linguistically, Berber belongs to the Afro-Asian group, and has many variants. The three main varieties used are Shilha Morocco, Central Atlas Tamazight, and Riff (also called Tamazight by its speakers). Collectively, they are known as Shelha Moroccan Arabic, as Barbaria in classical Arabic used in the Middle East. The terms and Barbar Shelha are considered offensive by most Berber activists, who prefer the term Amazigh.
Shilha (also known locally as Soussia) is spoken in the southwestern Morocco, in an area between Sidi Ifni in the south, in the north of Agadir and Marrakech and the Draa / Sous East. Central Atlas Tamazight is spoken in the Middle Atlas, between Taza, Khemisset Azilal and Errachidia. Riff is spoken in the Rif region of northern Morocco, in towns like Nador, Al Hoceima, Ajdir, Tetouan, Taza and Taouirt.
Most Berbers embraced Islam quickly, although their ethnic and linguistic non-Arab distinction has stood the Arab-Islamic influence. Hundreds of Amazigh associations (Berber) were created to defend their culture and identity in recent decades, Morocco and Algeria. Kiosks and bookstores in all major cities are filled with new Berber publications that provide articles and essays on art and the Amazigh culture. In 1994, the public television station RTM (now TVM) began broadcasting a day, 10 minutes long newscast in three Berber dialects. Berber activists have repeatedly demanded a share of airtime from 50% in standardized Tamazight (Berber) on all public television. There is also a national channel Tamazight in Morocco, called TV Tamazight. It opened in 2010, and emissions of more than 6 hours per day, with extended weekend broadcast.
The traditional costume for men and women is called jilbab, a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called bernousse, more commonly called Fez. Women wear kaftans decorated with ornaments. Almost all men and most women wear balgha (بلغه) - soft leather slippers without heels, often dyed yellow. Women also wear high-heeled sandals, often with silver or gold foil.
The distinction between a jilbab and kaftan is that the jilbab has a hood, while a Kaftan does not work. Djellabas Most women are brightly colored and have ornaments, stitching or beads, while jellabiyas men are generally more clear and neutral color. Women are strongly attached to their "Moroccan" wardrobe, despite the financial costs, the production of these garments is relatively expensive, as most of the work is done by hand, but most women buy a minimum of one new kaftan or takchita each year, usually for a special social event, such as a religious holiday or a wedding. These days, it is an unwritten rule that traditional Moroccan dress is worn at such events.
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