Morocco
Historical Overview
The kingdom of Morocco holds a unique position in the history of colonization, as well as in the decolonization process, that deviates from the usual model that applies to other countries.
Indeed, due to its geographical situation at the gateway of Africa and the junction of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco was, for centuries, targeted by colonial ambitions, mainly European. These started in the second half of the XIX Century with the occupation by Spain, in 1884, of a settlement in the far south of the country, called villa Cisneros (Dakhla), followed by the conclusion by European powers of secret agreements dividing Morocco into zones of influence and occupation.
THE PEOPLE
In 1995, the population was about 28,481,000 inhabitants. Morocco is a young country since 60% of the population is under 20 years of age. It is also a rural country since 61% of the population lives in rural areas.
THE LANGUAGE, Arabic is the national language. The 3 Berber dialects are used in the mountainous regions and in the Souss. French is widespread, whereas Spanish is used only in the northern areas of Morocco. English is spoken in touristic locations.
THE BERBERS, the first inhabitants to be known in Morocco were the Berbers. They are the most numerous and fall into 3 main groups
MOROCCAN HANDICRAFT The products of Moroccan handicraft are one of the fundamental characteristics of the Moroccan lifestyle. Over 40 corporations have been working wood, metal, copper, wool, linen, stone and clay for centuries. Adapted to the needs of modern life, our handicraft production relies on our traditions, offering a large variety of products ranging from small works of art to the simplest utilitarian objects. A wonderful scent and sense of life come out of it.
MOROCCAN LEATHER-WORKING, Morocco has a thousand types of Moroccan leather-working, all of which are of old tradition -in Fes and Marrakech a whole district is reserved to tanners. Fes, Marrakech : wallets, desk sets, babouches, leather poufs etc... Tetouan, Shefshaouen, Taghzout : multiple-compartment bags, leather- covered earthenware, plates and belts. Marrakech :Camel saddles (used as seats).
METALS, Copper: The Maghrebian household uses a great deal of copper industry products because copper is a material which captures dazzling light. Wrought irons: They are worked into candleholders, lampshades, bars, mousharabies and mirror frames. They are wrought in Marrakesh, Safi, Fes, etc...
Moroccan pottery
Morocco's varied geology and rich mineral deposits make the country one of the world's largest exporters of phosphates. They have also inspired the production of traditional ceramic tiles and pottery -- a craft industry which is still thriving.There are four main centres for the production of pottery in Morocco. The rich red soil of Wadi Lan in the far north is the raw material for the region's unglazed terracotta pottery, and the prolific pots produced here
Old Fez takes you straight into the heart of Moroccan culture as this is a city still mediaeval where the narrow streets are crowded with people wearing traditional djellabahs, and donkeys are still the main form of transport. Stall sellers offering dates, spices, copper urns, carpets, musical instruments, and nearly anything else will try and tempt you into buying. Mosques and Medersas are discovered everywhere and unusual sights such as the famous dye pits, are just round a corner, in a great mix of sights, sounds and smells begging you to get lost in the atmosphere!
Nestled on a plain at the foot of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is one of the most alluring cities in Morocco, still surrounded by its original fortifications. The heart of the old town is the Djemmaa el Fna, the huge main square where everything happens: from morning to night it throngs with life, orange and date sellers ply their trade from stalls, traditional water sellers wander around, snake charmers, musicians, acrobats and storytellers come and go to please the crowds. And, as night falls, food stalls appear as if by magic, and you can sit down and feast on freshly cooked local dishes. Yet Marrakech has many faces and you will explore the historic Medina of the Almohads, the majesty of the Bahia Palace along with the more modern boulevards and cafes of the French new town.
The Moroccan Kitchen
The foods of Morocco take great advantage of the natural bounty of a country where eating is both a practical and social ritual. The cooks in the kitchens of the four royal cities (Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat) helped to refine Moroccan cuisine and create the basis for what we know as Moroccan cuisine today. The midday meal is the main meal, except during the holy month of Ramadan, and abundant servings are the norm. The meal usually begins with a series of hot and cold salads which are followed by a tagine, or stew. The heartiest plate, often a lamb or chicken dish, is next, followed by a heaping plate of couscous topped with meats and vegetables. A soothing cup of sweet mint tea is the grace note to this repast. It is not uncommon for Moroccans to eat using the first three fingers of a hand, and to use bread as a "utensil."
The strong Arab influence found in two of the royal cities, Fez and Marrakech, contributed greatly to Moroccan cuisine, as did the Andalusian sensibilities of Tetuan and the Jewish traditions from the coastal city of Essaouira. Aspects of all of these cultures can be found in four of the best-loved Moroccan dishes: couscous, plumped semolina grains which are served with a variety of toppings; bisteeya, a delectable three-layer pie which is both savory and sweet and wrapped in the thinnest of pastry; mechoui, tender roasted lamb; and djej emshmel, succulent roasted chicken cooked with olives and lemon.
While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many commonly-used raw ingredients are home-grown: mint and olives from Meknes, oranges and lemons from sunny Fez, prickly pear from Casablanca and shad from the Sebou river. Also cultivated in Morocco are pomegranates, almonds, dates, walnuts, chestnuts, honey, barley, cherries and melon. Seafood is abundant along the Atlantic coast while lamb and poultry are raised on higher ground.
CARPET WEAVING: All activities of the Moroccan artefacts go a long way back and carpet weaving is certainly the oldest of all. There are two types of carpets in Morocco. Rural carpets: which are the oldest and Urban carpets (each of these fall into an infinite number of categories).
Urban carpets: Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech.
Rural carpets: Berber carpets of the Middle Atlas (Azrou) ; of the region of Zadrs (Oulmes), of Shishaoua (Marrakech) and of Aït Ouaourguite (Ouarzazate).
the Imperial Cities
A great introduction to the great cities of Morocco, the Imperial Cities program allows you to experience the different flavors and wonders of the Kingdom in an adventure celebrating its history, culture, gastronomy and architecture. The imperial cities of Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat have played important roles throughout the history of Morocco and, today, you can still marvel at the glory of their religious architecture and the unique charms of their historic heritage while savoring their exotic culture.
Your adventure starts in Casablanca, a thriving business center with a large population and a cityscape of modern high-rise buildings, dominated by the new Hassan II Mosque, second only to Mecca in size. The city is a perfect overnight stop both on arrival and departure as most international flights arrive here. Then, like pearls on a string, your visit will touch one by one the Imperial Cities: Rabat, largely modern and very European, yet presenting a world of narrow streets with whitewashed buildings and blue painted woodwork. Meknes with its massive walls surrounding much of the old city, the souks of its medina, and the remains of the Sultan Moulay Ismail's "ville imperiale" with its palaces, barracks, stables and gardens.
