The Moroccan culture
Culture is a way of life that differs across regions; each group of people has their own way of speaking, eating, and doing most of the things we do, which we often overlook. Culture’s an intricate topic to tackle in one article or even book, as it is broad and encompasses every aspect of the human life.
Morocco has a long history; it was inhabited by a number of civilizations, namely Romans, Jews Phoenicians and Andalusians and the like. In the early years of the 20th century, it witnessed the French and Spanish colonial rules, which not only affected some of its social and political structures, but also had some influence on some of its cultural heritage.
Morocco’s considered one of the most visited country in north Africa in 2019 with millions of tourists from Europe, Asia, the US and even Australia, most of whom wanted to relax and explore the beauty of the country, that is situated in a strategic position and some even wanted to explore the Moroccan culture, learn about the Moroccan history and meet new people from a different cultural background.
In this article we are going to talk about some of aspects of the Moroccan culture that not only is it interesting, but is also worth experiencing in a real-life setting.
Language and religion
Moroccans are bilingual, if not multilingual; the most dominant languages are Arabic and Tamazight, commonly referred to as Berber. The following are the native languages of Moroccans, but don’t worry most people speak French and is currently the language used in a variety of settings, including administrations, airports, restaurants etc…, presumably due to the French experience in Morocco. In addition to French, English is also one of the most common languages among the younger generation, especially due to the rapid grow of the global culture and the spread of English language centers across the country. Regarding religion, Morocco is a Muslim country; however, it’s not as extremely strict as some other Muslim countries in the middle east are. There are churches in big cities like Casablanca and synagogues, like the one in Fez. Morocco’s an open country with a mixture of The Arab, Berber and European cultures.
Architecture
The Moroccan architecture is reflective of its rich history and civilization. Some of the modern architecture still stands and reflects a long history and an interesting one I might add. It ranges from the ancient Roman and Berber architecture to the colonial and modern architecture. While in Morocco, you should definitely visit Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and see the picturesqueness of its architecture. In fact, it has become a paradise for photographers and filmmakers, thanks to its beauty. Also, make sure you visit Ifrane, often called the little Switzerland of Africa, as it is located in a mountainous region where it almost snows every year. Its houses are amazingly built that they resemble Swiss cities, making it a must see.
Literature
If you are a bibliophilic and want to learn about Morocco through Literature, you will certainly find a lot of books written in Arabic, Hebrew, Berber and French. Moroccan literature vividly depicts life during the French-Spanish colonization and even prior to then. It gives a better view of the past and of past generations. It’s therefore good to read if you want to learn about a particular area, as they say literature reflects society.
Music
Music in Morocco is of Arabic, Berber and Sub-Saharan origins. It has been mostly influenced by Western music, but it still plays a crucial role in the Moroccan culture.
Cinema in Morocco
The Moroccan cinema dates back to the French Louis Lumiere. Nowadays, it has grew bigger and bigger with establishment of many studios in a bunch of cities and the most popular studio is Atlas studio in Ouarzazate city, which is sometimes referred to as the Hollywood of Africa due to the many movies that it has produced so far and the fact that some parts of foreign movies have been filmed on the outskirts of Ouarzazate.
Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is an important part of the Moroccan culture. It is diverse because of the multiple interactions with the outside world. It is a mixture of Berber, Arab and European cuisines.
Sports
The most popular sport in Morocco is mainly soccer. Most young men like to play and watch soccer games. It is part of culture the way football and baseball are part of the American culture.
The Moroccan culture is rich due to several factors, among which we find the following:
The historical factor: Morocco’s long history contributed to the richness of its cultural heritage. Many civilizations inhabited North African countries in general and Morocco in particular. Thus, it contributed to shaping the Moroccan culture, making as diverse and in the meantime as unique as it is today.
The geographical factor: It refers to the strategic position in which Morocco stands. It is a gateway to and out of Africa, allowing a variety of intercultural interactions to take place. In recent years, many Tourists, sub-Saharan immigrants and expats have swarmed into the country, thereby contributing to the Moroccan culture and making it diversified.
To recap, Morocco’s an amazing country with a lot to offer its visitors, regardless of where they are from; The weather is wonderful, nature is breathtaking, and the amazingness of the Sahara Desert helps one relax and explore the genuine charm of Morocco. While in here, you should definitely explore the Berber Nomads’ lifestyle, which, not only is it adorable, but it also enables one to live and explore the simplicity of such a cultural group. Nomads are so friendly and welcoming, you will definitely enjoy being around them, perhaps you can also chat with them a bit, ask them questions if they happen to speak your language of course. I am sure your Moroccan journey will be incredible and we wish to see you here when you come, so yeah pack your bags and have so much fun. Thanks for your time
