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Morocco

Culture & History

Personality, Culture, & Identity

Morocco is pivotal. Based solely on location, Morocco is and always has been on the crossroads of travelers, traders, invaders, and explorers. Despite its modest state, Morocco sits on the edge of Europe, North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has been a prized land as the Carthaginians, Romans, Berbers, Arabs, French, Spanish, and Turks among others have all sought the land.

Due to location and historic foreign invasions in what is today Morocco, the people are a diverse mix of people coming from as far as the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. Over time this diversity has made Morocco a center of trade, economics, and religion, but more influentially, it has become a state that is open to new ideas, culture, and learning. While not all want to be included in this modern nation state, Morocco remains as it has for centuries: a center for the world to come, learn, and exchange everything from food and spices to ideas and philosophies.

The Moroccans today identify in many ways and even many of those who identify by the same name differ on what defines that identity. Many see themselves as being Berber, Arab, French, or as being another ethnicity. In much the same way, some identify by their language or, more commonly, see language as an important aspect of their larger ethnic identity. Others attach themselves first by politics and others by larger region; many Arabs see themselves as a part of the Muslim world, while Berbers view themselves as African and the French as European. Generational differences also change the definition of each as older people tend to see religion as an integral aspect of who they are, while many younger people do not. At the end of the day however, the Moroccans unite as "Moroccan" and will proudly tell visitors this no matter their ethnicity, religion, or language.

History

The people of modern day Morocco originate from the Berbers and dozens of other ethnic peoples. Due to Morocco's location between the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and within reach of both Europe and Africa, the region has always been a cross roads and trade center. Due to these foreign influences, the people are a mix of many people.

The original inhabitants in the region were the Berbers and were somewhat isolated from outside rule. However, all this ended in when the Romans arrived in the region after defeating Carthage, which was located in modern day Tunisia and was the protector of much of North Africa. A couple hundred years after the fall of Carthage in 146 BC, came the invasion of the Romans into the region of Morocco. For the next 400-500 years the Romans ruled the lowlands as they settled in the region and the coasts became Christianized and the recipient land of immigrating Jews. Meanwhile, the Berbers remained nearly isolated in the mountains.

In the 600s the Arabs overran much of North Africa, reaching Morocco and converting many of the people to Islam. Despite the Berbers' conversion to Islam, the Berbers and Arabs maintained two separate ethnicities as they rarely intermarried. In the 700s the Berbers rebelled and from that point until the 900s the region was essentially self-ruled as it became known as a liberal Muslim region, which invited traders and academics to the region.

These political, religious, and economic freedoms ended in the 900s when the ruling political entities collapsed. This led to a decline in free thought as the region was primarily ruled by local and regional Berber groups from this point until the 1500s. Despite numerous attempts to unify the people under a singular rule, Berber culture is, in many ways, based on independence and these moves of unity always failed.

By the 1600s the Moroccan shores were being settled by the Spanish and English as few of the local Berbers paid attention so long as they were to remain free to live as they wished. During this century a new group came to rule over the region and expelled many of the foreigners with the help of slaves and mercenaries. However, to maintain support of the Berbers, they were primarily left to rule themselves although this dynasty became the nominal rulers.

The 1800s thrust modern day Morocco back on the European stage as many European countries began colonizing, or trying to colonize the African continent. The French landed in neighboring Algeria as the Spanish landed in Morocco. In the early 1900s the French were also trying to get into Morocco and soon after what is today known as Morocco was divided between the French and Spanish.

By World War II (WWII) Morocco was almost completely controlled by the French. Prior to the war, the French improved Morocco's infrastructure and communication among other technological advancements. Although this was well accepted by some people, the still isolated Berber people in the mountainous interior rejected these advances into their lands. As WWII came, the region became a staging and transportation post for the Allied countries, both transporting goods and people into the region through their coastal cities and by being used as a springboard for battles in North Africa.

After WWII, with an Allied victory, the people demanded independence from the French. The Moroccan Sultan, who remained a figurehead under French rule, supported his people and called upon the French to grant his country freedom. After a brief stint in exile, the French and Spanish gave up their claims on Morocco and the country gained freedom under their Sultan.

Since independence in 1955, Morocco's government has been stable, but inconsistent. Morocco proved itself to be a member of the Arab nations by sending forces to support Egypt in the Israeli-Arab Conflict in 1973. Additionally, some rulers have taken more power than legally authorized and border battles have occurred with the Algerians as there are regular independence demands from the people in the south. The most noticeable of these is Western Sahara's demands for independence.

While the French granted Morocco independence in the 1950s, the Spanish held their southern lands and didn't give up rights on this territory until a couple decades later. This possession was the territory of Western Sahara and when Spain gave up rights, the region proclaimed independence from Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania, which claimed its southern lands.

As Spain hesitated on which political entity to recognize as the official ruler of the region, Morocco and Mauritania took control over the areas each claimed. Spain eventually recognized Morocco's and Mauritania's claims, but the local people started a revolt. Mauritania quickly gave up their claim on the land they controlled as Morocco took their former region under Moroccan rule. In 1991 a cease fire was reached between Morocco and the Western Sahara independence movement, but both political entities maintain a claim on the land as Western Sahara is essentially self-ruled.

Since about 2000, with a new leader in power, the country has opened up and introduced a large number of social and political reforms. The country has shifted focus on international relations and on trade, particularly with Europe and North America. Part of these opening relations have come as a result of Morocco's support on the United States's "War on Terrorism."

Dress & Behavior

As a primarily Muslim country, there are a number of religious laws which should be obeyed by everyone in Morocco, including tourists.

It is considered inappropriate for women to leave their hair uncovered, however this has almost entirely changed in Morocco, especially among foreigners. Women covering their heads will show great respect to their culture, however most Moroccans understand if you don't cover your hair.

Both women and men are expected to cover their legs and shoulders; showing your knees can be offensive. 3/4 length pants, like Capris and short sleeve shirts are only looked down upon by strict Muslims, however wearing full length pants and long sleeves at all times is the best course of action. Staying at a seaside resort often times allows these rules to be ignored, but follow the example of locals in these places.

Islamic law forbids pork products and alcohol. Being a fairly liberal Muslim country, drinking alcohol is not completely unheard of by the locals, but public drinking or intoxication is strictly forbidden. Pork products are difficult to find in Morocco since there is little market for pork. Avoiding these foods is easy due to its inaccessibility. To learn more about dining etiquette in Morocco, visit the Moroccan Food page.

This page was last updated: November, 2011