Moroccan culture is full of legends and myths, tales
of magic and epic characters, stories of love and fear, whose origins are lost
in time and in which fact and fiction are mixed. Tales, myths, legends and true
stories intertwine creating a rich oral tradition.
In spite of the
development in Morocco, a part of Moroccan society "believes" in the
phenomenon of shrines and blessings to find a solution for their emotional,
financial, social and mental problems, which is wrong.
The cult of marabouts and zawiyas are found throughout
the kingdom. But in reality a marabout is the living Sufi mystic who builds a
Ribat (zawiya with many departments) for the purpose of gathering people around
God Almighty and His invocation.
For:
A focus for
combating illiteracy and inculcating knowledge.
A place of worship.
Defense of the safety of the homeland.
Fighting
injustice and social corruption.
Nowadays, a
marabout or a ‘saint’ or ‘holly man’ point at a character whose qualities :
wisdom, thorough knowledge of religious texts and especially the baraka (divine
blessing) make of him an intermediate to God.
Example:
Bouya Omar is a marabout. His tomb is 30 kilometers
from Kelaat Castle city, and 11 kilometers away from Laattaouia Center.
He was born
during the last two decades of the 16th century and remained illiterate
until he reached the age of 40.
He decided to travel for learning to ZaouiyaTamkrot Nasiriyah which is located on the banks of the Draa Valley in
southern Morocco and studied at the hands of its founder, Sidi Mohammed bin
Ibrahim Al-Ansari.
The "Bouya omar" is one of the most famous
shrines frequented by visitors to recover from mental illness and epilepsy.
They believe that the spirit of the guardian,
"Bouya Omar" has a close link with the "Divine Spirit" and
capable of introduction to treatment.
·
We can refer to Sadat as saints and servants.
·
What Pushes people to believe in them is :
·
People strive to participate in the sacredness of
these saints.
·
They believe in magical powers and divine blessings.
·
Illiteracy and ignorance.
·
Lack of hope.
- Chamharouch, also know as "The king of Jnoun", or "TheGreat Judge of Jnoun" is located at a mountain named "Toubkal"
next to Marrakech , close to Imlil.
- The superstition basically states that in that memorial lives a Djinnname Chamharouch, people starting visiting the memorial in order to worship,
offer tributes such as small goats, and it is believed that visiting it cures
diseases.
However, that place is full of
manipulative imposters that take advantage of people that visit the empty
memorial and use tricks and false promises in order to get their money.
Kandicha” originally came from the Portuguese word
"condessa" referring to a "Countess" related to Portuguese
expeditions in Morocco. She’s also known by various names like Lalla Aïcha, , Aisha the Gnaouia .
There are many
versions of the story , some tells that
She is a Portuguese Countess of lightning beauty came to Essaouira to
find a merchant that she had fallen in love with. To find him, she wandered the streets of the
city wearing a large white dress. In
Other versions , she is described as a fascinating and terrifying woman appears
near wet places, she does not like men and she eats small children doing silly
things. Another version is that She is a woman with beauty and exceptional
charm. she lives in a river or the sea. Its attraction is so powerful that no
man can resist her, except those who recognize and show a knife or metal
objects. The myth varies by regions of the Maghreb . In the south, it takes a
goat appearance with long breasts and pretty woman legs to seduce men and make
them crazy. In the north, it takes the appearance of a pretty woman with goat
legs or donkey.
Morocco is a country rich in history, traditions,
people, and culture. Every part of these aspects influences how Moroccan people
are dressed. Among the variety of clothes you will find in Morocco. The
Djellaba & The kaftan the most common of Moroccan clothes.These fine
garments speak of the luxurious clothing style of the country.
The djellaba, a typical robe that you cannot miss from the very first few
seconds after arriving in Morocco. According to the many people we have met who
have professed to be experts in many areas, there are three basic types of
djellaba for men and two basic everyday options for women. For both sexes, the
machzania or "government" djellaba is the most common throughout the
country.
For Moroccan clothes for the men, there are also the northern and the southern djellaba, and for the women there is the kaftan. Islamic religion of Morocco is also a key factor in the way that Moroccan people dress. The djellaba covers the whole body and is therefore an acceptable modest outfit.
TheMoroccan kaftan or caftan is for celebration and special occasions. This
dress highlights the femininity with a bonus : it combines the splendor and
elegance because of the meticulous production.
Fine fabrics and brightly colored silks are thetraditional fashion. The tailors put their skill and art to create thesumptuous dress.
Gold embroidery, silver, contours and ends delicately
decorated, all returning a sensation of richness and femininity.
A belt embroidered with silk thread or gold (or at
least among wealthy women, silver or solid gold) shakes the Caftan size .This
coat, has always been a source of inspiration throughout the world.
The main Moroccan dish most people are familiar with are
• Couscous,the old national delicacy. ‘Seksu’ or couscous is a
fine wheat semolina traditionally rolled by hand. It is steamed over a stew of
meat and vegetables. To serve, the meat is covered by a pyramid of couscous,
the vegetables are pressed into the sides and the sauce served separately. It
is often garnished with a sweet raisin preserve, or in the Berber tradition,
with a bowl of butter milk.
•
Tanjia (A
Moroccan, Marrakchi gourmet) It is a specialMarrakchidish made with meat and
spices. Originally it is a recipecooked by men when they go for outdoorpicnics
in spring time to playcards and enjoy music. It iscooked in a pot of clay for
about 4 hours, usually in the public hammam (bath) where it’scovered and buried
in hot ashes.
•
Harira is a typical heavy soup, eaten during
winter to warm up and is usually served for dinner, it is typical eaten with
plain bread or with dates. The latter is especially used during the
month of Ramadan.
•
B’stillaThis very special pie represents the pinnacle
of exquisite Fassi (from Fez) cuisine. Layers of a paper-thin pastry coddle a
blend of pigeon meat, almonds and eggs spiced with saffron, cinnamon and fresh
coriander, the whole dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon.
•
Moroccan Chicken Rfissa - Trid with Chicken and Lentilsit's traditionally served on
the third day following the birth of a child or for special occasions.
•
The most popular drink is green tea with mint. Mint tea is the drink of choice. It is usually heavily
sweetened with sugar chipped off a sugarconeTraditionally, making good mint tea
in Morocco is considered an art form and the drinking of it with friends and
family is often a daily tradition.
Wedding:wedding ceremonies differ from a region to another ,and also depending on the
ethnic groups . Two days before thewedding,some special customs are made:
Henna: the bride normally covers the whole parts of her body with henna
. Hammam: It is considered as an act of purification, and
accompanied by beautiful traditional songs performed by the bride’sfriends,and
relatives.
The wedding day: Henna tatto: The bride is veiled and
dressed in a green caftan and "Hanaya" tattoos on her hands and feet
some very attractive designs. H’dia:The Moroccan customs of h'dia exist
in all social classes. On this occasion the groom gives all sorts of gifts such
as clothes and jewelry, even sugar, to the bride depending on social conditions
and specific region. Berza :The
"berza" which takes place the day of the grand ceremony is an
opportunity to present the bride to the guests. Adorned with a traditionaldress of ceremony, the bride is installed so as to be seen and admired by the
entire audience in a festive atmosphere full of sound and color.
•
As all muslim countries Morocco celebrates two feasts:
- Eid Al –Fitr: Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan
(a month of fasting), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the
occasion.
- Eid Al Adha: Eid Al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu
al-Hijjah and lasts for four days, during which Muslims usually sacrifice a
sheep and distribute its meat among family, friends, and the poor. 
- Cherry Festival: Sefrou is well known for its cherry festival, which
is considered one of Morocco’s oldest and most prominent regional celebrations.
This annual event was introduced by the French in 1919 and takes place during
the harvest of the cherries in early June. It gives the locals a chance to
showcase the charming customs, traditions, arts, and crafts of the area to
thousands of visitors. The festival reaches its pinnacle with the
crowning of “Miss Cherry Festival” and a parade of beautiful and colorful
floats on the third day of the festival.
- Gnaoua world music festival: The Gnaoua World Music Festival is a Gnaoua music
festival held annually in Essaouira. The festival provides a platform for
exchanges and a meeting point of music and dialogue between foreign artists and
the mystical Gnaoua(also Gnawa) musicians. In this melting-pot of musical
fusion, the Gnawa masters invite players of jazz,pop, rock ,and contemporary
world music to explore new avenues. The festivals see up to 500,000 visitors
every year over
Roses Festival: Legend has it that pilgrims returning from Mecca first
brought the Persian rose to the Dadès Valley in the High Atlas range. Today,
mile upon mile of rose hedges surround this small desert, making the area the
rose capital of Morocco. The town is the home of the M’Gouna tribe, and each
year they celebrate their harvest with a joyous and fragrant Rose Festival.
Dancing and singing continue throughout the night in the souk on
the main streets. As rose petals rain down on the procession and dancers, a
Rose Queen is elected to reign over the crop. 
