Morocco+Culture


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CULTURE
__Beliefs:__ "What isn't known can't be stolen...." Who can say whether this ancient saying was born out of folklore or the reality of prevalent thieves? Nonetheless, in Morocco perhaps more than any other area of North Africa, the cloak of secrecy and the characteristic of self-debasing modesty exist side by side with scenes of secluded walled courtyards, hidden door-ways painted a luminous blue, women clad in burkas (head-to-toe enveloping cloth "veils"), and djellabaclad men together with vendors of amulets, potions, and formulas all guaranteed to ward off the evil eye.

 Great wealth and lovely women, like other treasured Moroccan possessions, are never displayed openly. Even the great cuisine of Morocco is seldom tasted in public places but is reserved for the hospitality of the home. Such is the Moroccan world: a curious blend of faith and superstition, lore and leg-end, Arab, Berber, Black, and Jew all touched by history and ancient customs, yet secretive. (http://www.food-links.com/countries/morocco/morocco.php)

__Traditions:__ Greetings are important part of communicating in Morocco, and a cursory greeting is considered rude. Upon meeting, Moroccans shake hands and then touch their hearts with their right hands as a show of affection. Friends ask not only how each other is doing but how each other’s family is as well. Children in rural areas conventionally kiss the right hand of their parents or elders to show respect when greeting them. Some people might greet relatives or close friends by kissing cheeks or brushing.

Wedding is a new union between families and are celebrated as wonderful as possible. A wedding usually lasts two days. Nowadays, it is becoming a custom for wealth parents of groom or bride to present gifts such as cars, property in Morocco like houses, villas and apartments.

Under Islamic law a Moroccan husband may have up to four wives, providing equally for each. To take another wife, a man must have permission from his current wife or wives. Under Moroccan economic reality, though, the actual practice of polygamy is rare (http://www.moroccoproperty.org.uk/Morocco-customs-and-traditions.html)

__Societal Expectations:__ Many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may well take exception to (or get the wrong idea from) clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body which considered to the "private". That may include shoulders and both legs, especially for women. Moroccans are religious people. Islamic practices affect all aspects of life, especially in more remote communities. As in all Islamic communities the call to prayer will be heard five times a day. During the holy month of Ramadan, Moslems fast from daybreak till sunset. This fast puts a great strain on them as they will often rise at 4am to have breakfast. In towns some shops in the Ramadan month are closed for long periods during daylight hours and also at dusk many shops close for an hour while the fasting population has their meal.

When invited to dinner, guests are not expected to bring a gift unless the occasion is to celebrate something special. Milk and dates are served as a sign of hospitality. Guests please their hosts by complimenting them on their home. Men and women do not always socialize together. In rural areas, they more often associate separately, while couples in urban areas will socialize in mixed company (http://www.moroccoproperty.org.uk/Morocco-customs-and-traditions.html)

__Education:__ The education system in Morocco is composed of pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Government efforts to increase the availability of education services have led to increased access at all levels of education. Morocco’s education system consists of 6 years of primary, 3 years of lower-middle / intermediate school, 3 years of upper secondary, and a tertiary education. The education system in Morocco is under the purview of the Ministry of National Education (MNE) and Ministry of Higher Education and Executive Training. The Ministry of National Education decentralized its functions to regional levels created in 1999 when 72 provinces were subsumed into 16 regional administrative units. Then the responsibility of the provision of education services has been slowly devolving to the regional level. This decentralization process will ensure that education programs are responsive to regional needs and the budget is administered locally. Each region has a Regional Academy for Education and Training and a regional director who is senior to provincial delegates within the region. The regional academies will also be responsible for developing 30 percent of the curriculum so that it is locally relevant. The central level of the MNE continues to manage the other 70 percent. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Morocco)

__Language__: Arabic (official), French, others (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ma.htm)

__Religion__: Muslim and traditional beliefs (http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ma.htm)

__National Holidays__: March 3- Feast of the Throne November 18-Independence Day (http://www.planetware.com/national-information/morocco-tourist-offices-national-holidays-mar.htm)

__Music__:There are many genres of Moroccan music. It includes Arab, Berber, classical, and popular elements. Musicians perform in concerts, in cafes, at private homes, ceremonies, marriages, funerals, and religious processions. It is also used to accompany dancing and storytelling (http://www.al-bab.com/maroc/cult/music.htm)

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__Food:__ The classic dish of couscous - national dish of the entire Maghreb which includes Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria - is also enjoyed in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. Mechoui (succulent roast lamb), with its many variations, is found all around the Mediterranean. Bisteeya or pastilla, the whisper-thin pastry layers shaped in an 18 inch to 20 inch pie enclosing scrambled eggs and pigeon meat, closely resembles the spring roll pastries of China. The tagine, prepared and served in an earthenware dome-shaped dish, is the classic of all stews. =====



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In fact, the Berbers had a profound effect on the Arabs. The rituals of serving and eating foods as well as many classic dishes are definitely of Berber origin. These include the eating of foods with only three fingers of the right hand. However, the ceremonial hand washing that precedes the meal seems to be of Jewish rather than Arabic or Berber origin. (http://www.food-links.com/countries/morocco/morocco.php) =====

__Sports__:Moroccans enjoy sports that are very popular such as handball, football, golf, tennis, and basketball.

__Art__: The visual style of Morocco's decorative arts has enthralled visitors for centuries. Common themes are a deep commitment to complex geometric, floral and calligraphic visual pattern, pared with simple, bright, and often whitewashed colors. (Islam forbids the representation of people and animals in art, so there is a widespread use of pattern and abstraction to focus the mind of the viewer on higher truths.)

Walk through any medina will reveal extraordinarily complex tile, or //[|zellij]// mosaics, covering public fountains, walls, and furniture. A visit to any medersa will reveal stone and wood carved calligraphic patterns taken from the Koran, against a background of near-infinite geometric complexity. The high Islamic art of the riads, medersas, gardens and palaces, the bustle of the medina, and the daily rhythms of Moroccan life have inspired both native Moroccan and Western artists alike. Today, modern Moroccan artists like Ahmed Cherkaoui and Hassan Slaoui have a growing international reputation. And throughout the centuries, western artists as varied as Delacroix and Henri Matisse, who did important work during, and in response to, their lengthy visits to the country.

Morocco is known throughout the world for its carpets. Carpets are made regionally, and styles in different cities, and different parts of the country are very different. However, like many things in Morocco, broadly speaking all carpets originate in one of two different styles, based on the weaver's Berber or Arabic roots. (http://www.morocco-travel-agency.com/culture.html)