Morocco
Plan a visit to the United KIngdom of Morocco today!
Location & Language
-Morocco is located in Africa and below the country of Spain.
-Capital: Rabat
-The official language of Morocco is Arabic, many also speak French.
-In northern Morocco, many speak Spanish and English.
-Morocco in Arabic means "far west" or "where the sun sets"
Weather & Climate
-Rain falls are from November to March, and the hot months are from April to May and September to November.
-Trade winds are hot and dry, and the temperature is hot in the day and cold in the afternoon.
Cultural Landscape
-Beaches and Coasts (Agadir)
-Mountains (Atlas Mountains)
-Deserts (Sahara Desert)
Many of these areas are open to tourism and are protected sustainably.
My aunt Diana posing at the Morocco Pavillion in the entrance of Morocco.
A small shop in Morocco selling traditional female clothing.
A man in an alley selling religious items.
Moroccan Folways and Taboos
-It is considered ungrateful to allow a guest to leave a meal unsatisfied and feed their guests with what they can afford.
-During the 30 days of Ramadan, fasting is from dusk to dawn- if seen eating or drinking in daylight, Moroccans could be arrested.
-Moroccans and their guests eat in bowls, usually without utensils, sitting on the floor, barefoot (shoes are left by the door)
-Women give birth at home with the help of female family.
-Weddings are usually 2-3 days long depending on finance, brides are tattooed with hennas on their hands and feet.
-The right hand is for greeting and eating and the left is for sanitation(bathroom).
-Moroccans do not like compliments or direct praise, it makes them feel extremely uncomfortable. (ex: "wow!" or "what a beautiful home!" or even "What a cute baby!")
-Do not drink alcohol, unless you are a tourist at a bar.
-Women must wear traditional djellaba and headscarf.
-Remove your shoes in a mosque.
-Women should not walk alone in ublic, they should have male companion or another female presence.
The Dye vats in Fez, Morocco
(photo credit: My aunt Diana)
Brides get henna tattoos on their wedding day(s)
A market in Morroco
Moroccan Subcultures
Evidence of Cultural Diffusion/ Change
-The Arabs invaded Circa in 685, thus bringing Islam.
-1904 Spain and France controlled almost all of Morocco, bringing French and Spanish influence in many portions.
People & Labor
-Many people sell their handmade crafts, jewelry, carpets, or clothes on street markets in order to make more money.
-Child Labor is very common.
-Males by law have more freedom than females.
-Only women in high sectors are able to get education to become Doctors, Lawyers, ect.
-Women are victims of harassment, discrimination, and ridicule by men.
Religion
-Mosques are open for men ONLY and during the week, they are open a few hours for women.
-The virginity of a young women is guarded as in most cultures.
-Muslims must marry Muslims, it is only ok for a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim women.
Government & Military
-The King is the commander of the Moroccan Army, Navy, Air Force and other military teams and units like the Auxiliary Forces.
-The Moroccan Flag: