Moroccan culture

Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich culture and civilization. Through Moroccan history, Morocco hosted many people coming from East (Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Jews and Arabs), South (Sub-Saharan Africans) and North (Romans, Vandals, Andalusians (including Moors and Jews)). All those civilizations have had an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It conceived various forms of beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, and Christianity to Islam.

Each region possesses its own specificities, thus contributing to the national culture and to the legacy of civilization. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diverse legacy and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

Culturally speaking, Morocco has always been successful in combining its Berber, Jewish and Arabic cultural heritage with external influences such as the French and the Spanish and, during the last decades, the Anglo-American lifestyles.

Cuisine:
Moroccan cuisine has long been considered as one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. This is a result of the centuries-long interaction of Morocco with the outside world. The cuisine of Morocco is a mix of Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Portuguese, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and African cuisines. The cuisine of Morocco has been influenced by the native Berber cuisine, the Arabic Andalusian cuisine; brought by the Moriscos when they left Spain, the Turkish cuisine from the Turks and the Middle Eastern cuisines brought by the Arabs as well as Jewish cuisine.

Spices are used extensively in Moroccan food. While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many ingredients, like saffron from Tiliouine, mint and olives from Meknes, and oranges and lemons from Fez, are home-grown. Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Morocco. The most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco is beef; lamb is preferred, but is relatively expensive. Couscous is the most famous Moroccan dish along with pastilla, tajine, and harira. The most popular drink is green tea with mint. The tea is accompanied with hard sugar cones or lumps.

Hammam:

The hammam (Arabic ḥammām حمّام, Turkish hamam) or Turkish bath is the Middle Eastern variant of a steam bath, which can be categorized as a wet relative of the sauna. They had played an important role in cultures of the Middle-East, serving as places of social gathering, ritual cleansing and as architectural structures, institutions, and (later) elements with special customs attached to them. Europeans learned about the Hammam via contacts with Turkey hence the European name for it: "Turkish" hammam.

Henna:

Henna is commercially cultivated in western India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Sudan and Libya.
Though henna has been used for body art and hair dye since the Bronze Age, henna has had a recent renaissance in body art due to improvements in cultivation, processing, and the diasporas of people from traditional henna using regions.
The word "Henna" comes from the Arabic name Hina for Lawsonia inermis. In the Bible Song of Songs and Song of Solomon, henna is referred to as Camphire. In the Indian subcontinent, there are many variant words such as Mehndi in North India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Arabic-speaking countries in North Africa and the Middle East the Arabic word is Hina.

The different words for henna in ancient languages imply that henna had more than one point of discovery and origin, and different pathways of daily and ceremonial use.
Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. The earliest text mentioning henna in the context of marriage and fertility celebrations comes from the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath, which has references to women marking themselves with henna in preparation to meet their husbands, and Anath adorning herself with henna to celebrate a victory over the enemies of Baal. Wall paintings excavated at Akrotiri (dating prior to the eruption of Thera in 1680 BCE) show women with markings consistent with henna on their nails, palms and soles, in a tableau consistent with the henna bridal description from Ugarit. Many statuettes of young women dating between 1500 and 500 BCE along the Mediterranean coastline have raised hands with markings consistent with henna. This early connection between young, fertile women and henna seems to be the origin of the Night of the Henna, which is now celebrated world-wide.

The Night of the Henna was celebrated by most groups in the areas where henna grew naturally: Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians, among others, all celebrated marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with henna.

Literature:
Moroccan literature is written in Arabic, Berber or French, and particularly by people of Morocco. It also contains literature produced in Al-Andalus. Under the Almohad dynasty Morocco experienced a period of prosperity and brilliance of learning. The Almohad built the Marrakech Koutoubia Mosque, which accommodated no fewer than 25,000 people, but was also famed for its books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops, which gave it its name; the first book bazaar in history. The Almohad Caliph Abu Yakub had a great love for collecting books. He founded a great library, which was eventually carried to the Casbah and turned into a public library.
Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. Two main factors gave Morocco a pulse toward witnessing the birth of a modern literature. Morocco, as a French and Spanish protectorate left Moroccan intellectuals the opportunity to exchange and to produce literary works freely enjoying the contact of other Arabic literature and Europe.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers as Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams and William S. Burroughs. Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such as Mohamed Choukri, who wrote in Arabic, and Driss Chraïbi who wrote in French. Other important Moroccan authors include Tahar ben Jelloun, Fouad Laroui, Mohammed Berrada, Leila Abouzeid and Lotfi Akalay.

Music:
Moroccan music is predominantly of Arab origins. There also exist three varieties of Berber folk music. Andalusian and other imported influences have had a major effect on the country's musical character. Rock-influenced chaabi bands are widespread, as is trance music with historical origins in Muslim music.
Morocco is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout North Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Persian-born musician Ziryab is usually credited with its invention.
Chaabi (popular) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.
Popular Western forms of music are becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such as fusion, rock, country, metal and particularly hip hop.

Cities of Morocco

The main cities of Morocco are Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca, Meknes, Fez, Agadir and Tangier.

Tangier
Most people coming from Europe (and beyond) begin their travel in Morocco by landing in Tangier; it can be daring or an adventure, depending on what way you look at it. Good or bad, it's certainly a place that will leave a lasting impression on you. Tangier being a port city, you will amongst others also find scoundrels and petty thiefs, therefore, do watch your belongings. However, this is the portal to the orient and it will give you a pre-taste, -smell and -experience of enchanting places to come. It was once considered to be one of the most stylish resorts of the Mediterranean, packed with wealthy Europeans and Americans searching for business opportunities, excitement, and that 'special something' the other resorts couldn't provide. Up until Morocco's independence in 1956, Tangier was classified as a free port, with laid-back taxation laws and a backwards system of law and order. A place where "anything" could be bought if you were willing to pay the right price.
Tangier is synonymous with such literary greats as Paul Bowles, Cecil Beaton, William Burroughs, Joe Orton, Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg, Tennessee Williams and Brion Gysin. They all arrived here searching for cheap thrills, freedom and a way of life impossible to find in Europe or the States. Eventually, the authorities decided to clean up the city and clamp down on the foreigner's "hedonistic lifestyles"
During a period known as "The Great Scandal" many ex-pats were arrested for sexual and narcotic-oriented crimes, resulting in most of the brothels and 'houses of ill repute' being closed down. After this, most of the ex-pat community left Tangier for Spain and France.
Nowadays the police don't tolerate westerners coming to Tangier for cheap drugs anymore.
Tangier today
If you're looking for something different - something with a little more edge, this could be the place for you. Tangier is certainly not your average Mediterranean holiday destination. It's a dynamic city with an intense atmosphere and very strong sense of character. There are not many places you can visit (on a budget) that are as interesting and exotic as Tangier at such a short distance to mainland Europe. Go with an open mind and the right attitude and you'll love it!

Fez

Fez is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. It's also considered to be the intellectual, spiritual, cultural and religious capital of Morocco. This fascinating city has managed to remain completely unchanged throughout the modern ages. It's a bustling city, steeped in history and culture. Visually, it's stunning...it's ancient, run-down, dirty, elegant, dramatic and very exotic. Fez is like no other place on earth. It was the capital of Morocco for over 400 years. Nowadays it's home to the largest university in Morocco and the leading cultural and religious centre. Fez was founded in 789. Over the years the city has experienced long periods of hardship, but its spirit has never died. Today, the inhabitants are extremely proud of their city - they have their own unique culture, art and even cuisine. Fez city is like a living museum. All the old architectural structures remain intact, yet it's very much a living city. Most of the streets are too narrow for cars and donkeys and mules are still being used on a daily basis. All throughout its history Fez has displayed a striking contrast of poverty and developed culture. When you first arrive you might get a bit of a culture shock. Things haven't changed here for centuries. You might find life crude and primitive, but this is a society that has remained the same and managed to function perfectly well through more than 1000 years of history - it's appearance is all part of its charm and appeal. Some of the best sights to see in Fez are; Kairouine mosque (the centre of Islamic learning in Morocco for more than 1000 years); Attarin madrasa (famous Islamic school built in the early 14th century); Bab Boujeloud (the most famous gate in Morocco); the Tanners Quarter (Fez's main attraction); the Mernid Tombs (with spectacular views over the city) and the Royal Palace.

Agadir
In February 1960 Agadir was totally destroyed by a massive earthquake. But, thanks to the will and determination of the young King Hassan II, the city has been completely reconstructed and turned into one of Morocco's most popular beach resorts. Agadir gets an amazing 360 days of sunshine per year. Nowadays, Agadir is a modern city with first class facilities; excellent hotels; spectacular city gardens; a huge port and a first rate airport. This is Morocco's first real holiday haven. The city is very much organized around seeing to the comfort of its visitors. The beach is one of Agadir's main attractions. It stretches for six kilometres and has fine golden sands, intense blue waters and some of the most amazing sunsets in the country. Lying on the beach or floating in the water you'll mesmerized by the surrounding lanscape - the verdant valleys of the Great Souss and the majestic slopes of the Anti-Atlas mountains. Agadir is Morocco's main fishing-port. It's bathed in sunshine all year round; sailing, wind-surfing, horse riding, tennis and golf are just some of the things you can do here?Or, if you want to just take it easy, you can simply lounge in the shade of one of the eucalyptus trees sipping a coctail or beer. Located between the mountainous regions of the Anti-Atlas and the western extreme of the High Atlas, Agadir is the perfect departure point for numerous off-road excursions into the surrounding countryside. Although possibly not the most culturally appealing of cities (compared to the likes of Fez etc.) Agadir is the perfect if you want a cheap, relaxing, stress free, beach holiday. Other places well worth visiting near Agadir are: the Ouzoud Falls, Taroudant, Tafraoute, Tiznit and Taghazout.

Essaouira
Essaouira is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled towns in Morocco. It's a friendly, laid back place with a cosmopolitan mix of people. It's also one of the top surfing locations in the country. Essaouira also has one of the best beaches in the country. It stretches for miles and miles; it's one of the town's main attractions. Essaouira has managed to escape mass tourism; most state investment over the years has been put into Casablanca. It remains an attractive alternative to the more typical package holiday location. Most of the people who go to Essaouira are either hippies, surfers arty types or independent travelers.
Essaouira is a hub of contemporary Moroccan art and has been for centuries. It's a magnet for poets, scientists and all kinds of creative talent. Artists such as Nurredin Alioua, Mohammed Tabal and Mohammed Bouada, have all drawn inspiration from its unmistakable charm. Even Jimi Hendrix had a soft spot for this place. First of all check out the Place de L'Indépendence (the main square). It's just across from the port in the "Safi" area. Essaouira is well known for its café culture; here's where you'll find all the main cafés, restaurants and patisseries. There's much drinking, eating, and socializing; you can sit here all day long, from breakfast to midnight, and just watch the world go by. The Skala of the Kasbah is a fantastic fort. It's made famous by the rows of gigantic canons that point out over the Atlantic Ocean. This is also where Orson Wells shot certain scenes in the film version of Shakespeare's Othello.
Being a port city, fish is on every menu and it's some of the best you'll find in Morocco. If you go down to the port you can buy fresh fish (caught that morning) from the daily fish market. They'll even cook it there and then, right in front of you. Other places well worth visiting in Essaouirra include; the Portuguese Chapel, the Kechla (an massive imposing stronghold); the Taros (a beautifully restored café-restaurant and roof terrace) and, don't forget, the stunning beach.

Meknes
Meknes, known as "the Versailles of Morocco" is one of the countries most striking imperial cities.
Meknes was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids. Initially it was a military settlement. In 1672, it became the capital of Morocco under Sultan Ismail. He undertook such palatial building operations that the city became known as the "Versailles of Morocco". Unfortunately, the grand scheme for a royal palace was never completed and today little of the construction remains.
The city centre is a large productive area surrounded by a fortress of ancient monuments and extravagant palaces. This is where they make olives, wine, cereal crops and citrus amongst other things. This is an authentic Moroccan "Souk" (market). You can get everything here from silver bracelets and their world famous olives to carpets and slippers.
The souks of Meknes are quite small in comparison to those in Fez. There are plenty of shops where you can find leather, djellaba's, carpets and silver. In just over an hour you can see all the nice shops.
Meknes has a surprisingly large number of restaurants for its population size. In the old town there are some really good restaurants. There are a couple that claim to be the "best in Morocco" and whether they are or not is debatable, but they certainly are very good. In the new town, there is a much wider at all types of price ranges.
Close by, there's Volubilis - the most important Roman ruins in all of Morocco. An absolute must see.

Rabat
Rabat, also known as the "Garden City", is the administrative capital of Morocco.
It's a traditional yet modern city - a dynamic mixture of ancient history and modern culture. Surrounded by a rich amber coloured landscape, the city itself is very elegant, with its wide harmonious boulevards, flowers, gardens and luxury shops.
Don't miss the Tour Hassan - the last remains of an unfinished Mosque. It's one of the cities most prominent structures. Then there's the Mohammed V Mausoleum - one of the most peaceful and serene places in the city.
There are many idyllic walks you can take in Rabat, all within earshot of the Atlantic Ocean's surrounded by colourful flowers and bright blue skies. The many fine buildings and monments within the city walls bear witness to Rabat's proud history as the capital city of the Kingdom of Morocco. Head down to the Oudaïas Kasbah area. You'll find a maze of winding streets, where ancient Islamic art co-exists with the modern city. The Oudaïas Kasbah is like a glittering mosaic; incredibly enchanting. You'll want to come back again and again. The superb white medina of Sale is also well worth a visit. Just opposite the Oued, this house of fine artwork is an absolute treasure. Take a stroll through the city's exquisite gardens. They're stunning - perfectly manicured, and incredibly colourful and exotic. Most of the gardens have been created using flowers that come from all over the world. They're criss-crossed with pathways and footbridges, making idyllic walking routes.

Casablanca
The ancient city of Casablanca has progressed into a cosmopolitan metropolis and an increasingly important business capital.
Although it's become an industrial city, it still remains very traditional and has a strong religious presence. Casablanca is home to one of the most spectacular Mosques in the world - the Hassan II Mosque. The Mosque has been described as a "nave of incomparable beauty". It towers majestically over the surrounding cityscape. It has a prayer room large enough to hold 25,000 worshippers and an esplanade for a further 80,000. It's a combination of ancient Moroccan architechture and modern state of the art technology.
The famous Anfa port has been spoken of by historians since the 12th century. This is where the neighbouring regions of Chaouia, Rehamnas and Tadla made all their important exports to Europe: cereals, wool, hides, beeswax and oil. Memories of the past can still be seen today - the bazaars, souks, mosques and marabouts - all reminders of a bygone era.
Casablanca is a fine example of an ancient city making rapid progress into an ever changing modern world. It's been the scene of several historic meetings which have had major influences on the course of history - like the 1943 Anfa Conference; a meeting between his late Majesty Mohammed V, along with His Majesty Hassan II (the Crown Prince) and the three great Heads of State of the World - Churchill, Roosevelt and De Gaulle.

Marrakech
Marrakech, also known as the "Pearl of the South" is one of the most enchanting cities in Morrocco. As soon as you arrive you'll immediately fall under the spell of this magical place with it's fascinating people, culture and history.
Going to Marrakech is like taking a journey back in time. Hidden behind the city's red earth walls you'll find a maze of winding bazaars, stunning ancient palaces, peaceful gardens and the legendary Jemaa el Fna - Marrakech's famous town square.
It's not the most visually appealing town square you'll ever see; it's famous because of its continuous day and nightlife. During the day, you'll see performers of every kind putting on their colourful shows. As the sun starts to set and night approaches, the square comes alive with food stalls. People stand around eating, drinking and talking for hours. The Jemaa el Fna is probably the most vibrant area of the city. There are plenty of places outside the city that are well worth checking out. You can take a guided tour into the surrounding hills, follow the ancient trails into the valleys, explore the rural villages nestling beneath the rocky slopes - the views are truly amazing. If you look southwest, you'll see the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas mountain ranges; a beautiful yet inhospitable landscape where hardened Berber villagers eke out a meager existence.
To the west of Marrakech, there's the much-celebrated Portuguese town of Essaouira. It's a charming little fishing port with whitewashed streets and blue-shuttered houses. It's also a world-class surfing location that has become incredibly popular over the past few years.

Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is probably one of the safest and most peaceful cities in Morocco. It's located in the Rif Mountains inland from Tangier and Tetouan. Unlike most other Moroccan cities, there are no warnings about walking around in the streets alone, even in the middle of the night. It's very relaxed. This is where most of the country's cannabis is produced. It's sold all over town. It's such an intrinsic part of life here that they even sell it together with the vegetables, herbs and spices on the street. Nobody blinks an eye and there is never any trouble. Chefchaouen could well be proof that cannabis use doesn't necessarily lead to crime, as long as the drug itself isn't considered illegal. The city itself is simply stunning; a cluster of pristine white houses with intense blue doors and windows dramatically clinging to the side of the mountain. At the top there is a water source where the kids play during the hot summer months, in some of the most idyllic surroundings you'll ever see. The streets are incredibly well taken care of and cleaner than any you will find anywhere in Morocco. Chefchaouen has an intriguing history. It remained a bastion against European influence for many years. Even though it's just 100 kilometers from mainland Europe, no Europeans had ever set foot here until 1920. For a long time, Chefchaouen was a refuge for Moors fleeing from Spain after Christianity brought the country into the Dark Ages. The first European visitors to Chefchaouen had to wear disguises, but one of them was eventually found out and killed by the locals. Things are very different today; there's no hostility whatsoever. The Chefchaoueners are very open and friendly towards foreign visitors. In Chefchaouen, they are a lot slower in picking up Western habits than in other Moroccan cities. The city appears, as if, untouched by time and completely devoid of mass western commercialism (apart from the usual bottles of coke!).

Tetouan
Tetouan is the capital of North Morocco. Located near the Rif mountians, it's surrounded by some fantastic scenery. Tetouan?s landscape is very green; it?s also packed with orange, almond and cypress trees that contrast wildly against the dazzlingly white houses on the Dersa hillside. Tetouan was founded around 1305 by the Merinid Abou Tabit. Back then, it served as an operations base against Septa. Later, it became a pirates hideaway, which was eventually destroyed by the Spanish. During the 16th century Tetouan became re-populated again; mainly by the Moslems and Jews that were exiled from Andalucia. It became prosperous again under the rule of Moulay Ismail. The city centre is a delightful mix of tiny squares and narrow winding streets with blueish white walls. You can sit out all day in these idyllic squares, and at night time, they come alive with people!
In the mornings, you'll see the local women, dressed in flamboyant colours with wide straw hats, setting up their market stalls selling butter, honey, vegetables and herbs to a lively, bustling crowd. Hassan Square II is located right in the heart of the city where the old and modern parts converge. It looks very much like Andalucia with its fountains, kiosks and flower boxes. It's an ideal meeting point - a popular place to start your afternoon stroll around the town.
Tetouan is one of Morocco's main cultural centres. The town has many monuments that date back centuries. This is home to the Khalifa's old palace, where his majesty's representative used to live. It's a perfect example of Spanish-Moroccan architecture. It was built back in 17th century and restored in 1948. The palace still retains its original 17th century character.
Other well known establishments include; the College of Fine Arts and the School of Moroccan art, along with two museums, and a huge conservatory. There's also the fort (that's very well preserved), plenty of fountains and a number of Mosques that you can visit.
The best way to really get to know the city is to meander around the many small alleyways and squares and just see where you end up. It's an intruiging city - you'll find hidden treasures on every corner.
Every street in Tetouan is marked by a trade guild. For example, the street of dyers adjoins that of gunsmiths, not far from weavers and jewelers streets.