Culture of Morocco 1857308 225621543 2008-07-14T16:28:38Z 198.163.3.100 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 223144680 by [[Special:Contributions/85.189.231.121|85.189.231.121]] ([[User talk:85.189.231.121|talk]]) (Vandalism) [[Image:Mekhnes Place El-Hedine Mosaique3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Zellige]], the Moroccan mosaic]] '''Culture of Morocco''' - [[Morocco]] is a country of [[Multiethnic society|multi-ethnic]] groups with a rich [[culture]] and [[civilization]]. Through [[History of Morocco|Moroccan history]], Morocco hosted many people coming from both East ([[Phoenicians]], [[Jews]] and [[Arabs]]), South ([[Moors]] and [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]ns) and North ([[Ancient Rome|Romans]] and [[Vandals]]). All of which have had an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It conceived many forms of beliefs, from [[paganism]], [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]] to [[Islam]]. Each region possesses its own uniqueness, contributing to the national culture. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage. In the political world, Morocco is referred to as an Arab state and sometimes as an African state. The majority of Morocco's population is of [[Berber people|Berber]] origins. At least a third of the population speaks the [[Berber languages|Amazigh]] language. During the Islamic expansion, some Arabs came to Morocco and settled in the flat regions as Tadla and Doukkala. For example there are groups called Charkawa and Arbawa who settled in Morocco from Arabia. The Charkawa claimed to be descended from Omar Ibn Al Khatab. ==Facts and figures== {{main|Demographics of Morocco}} The following figures are taken from the CIA factbook [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mo.html]. *'''Population''': 33,757,175 (July 2007 est.) *'''Ethnic groups''': Berber-Negro-Arab 98.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% *'''Languages''': Classical Arabic (official, though not used in daily speech), Darija-Arabic (spoken by some 70%), Berber (spoken language by some 30%), French often the language of business, government, military and diplomacy. *'''Literacy''': (definition: age 15 and over can read and write) total population: 52.3% (male: 64.7% / female: 40.6%) (2004 census) *'''Legal system''': based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court ==Ethnic groups and languages== [[Image:Jüdische Hochzeit in Marokko-1024.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Jewish Wedding in Morocco by [[Eugène Delacroix]], [[Louvre]], [[Paris]]]] [[Morocco]] is considered by some as an Arab-Berber country. Others insist on the Berber-African identity of Morocco. About 42% acknowledge a Berber identity, though many more have Berber ancestry. Berbers are identified primarily by [[language]] but also by traditional customs and culture - such as the distinctive music and dances. Berbers don't identify themselves by blood ties. [[Berber people|Berber]] language (Also called [[Berber languages|Amazigh]]) is not yet officially recognized in Morocco, though French (the colonial language) is. Classical [[Arabic language|Arabic]] remains the only official language of Morocco and is used in limited socio-economic and cultural activities and written newspapers but it is never spoken between Moroccans. Linguistically, [[Berber languages|Berber]] belongs to the [[Afro-Asiatic]] group, and has many accents or variants. The three main accents used in Morocco are [[Tachelhit]], [[Tamazight]] and [[Tarifit]] (Also called ''Thamazight'' by its speakers). Collectively, those [[Berber languages]] they are known as "Chelha" in Moroccan Arabic and as "Barbaria" in Classical Arabic used in the Middle East. The terms "Barbar" and "Chelha" are considered by most Berber activists as extremely offending and humiliating. They prefer the word ''Amazigh''. Tachelhit (sometimes known as "soussia" or "chelha") is spoken in south-west Morocco, in an area between Sidi Ifni in the south, Agadir in the north and Marrakech and the Draa/Sous valleys in the east. [[Tamazight]] is spoken in the Middle Atlas, between [[Taza]], [[Khemisset]], Azilal and Errachidia. [[Tarifit]] is spoken in the Rif area of northern Morocco in towns like [[Nador]], [[Al Hoceima]], [[Ajdir]], [[Tangier]] and [[Taourirt]], [[Larache]] and [[Taza]]. ''For more detailed information on this subject see: [[Berber languages]].'' Although Berbers were eventually converted to [[Islam]], their ethnic and linguistic purity has remained. Hundreds of Amazigh (Berber) associations were created in the last few years. Newsstands and bookstores in all the major cities are filled with new Amazigh magazines and other publications that provide articles about the Amazigh culture and art. The state owned TV station RTM (now ''TVM'') has started broadcasting a daily 10-minute long news bulletin in the 3 Berber accents since the mid 90's. Berber activists are repetedly demanding a 50% share of broadcasting time in standardized [[Berber languages|Amazigh]] language on all 5 state owned satellite channels ''TVM'', ''2M'', ''3'', ''4'' and ''Laayoune TV''. The state still refuses or ignores these demands. == Traditional clothing== [[Image:Maroc Marrakech Bahia Luc Viatour 3.jpg|thumb|right|120px|A Moroccan [[caftan]]]] The traditional dress for men is called '''[[djellaba]]'''; a long, loose, hooded [[garment]] with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called '''tarbouche''' and mostly referred to as '''[[Fez (clothing)|Fez]]'''. Nearly all men wear '''babouches''' —- those soft leather slippers with no heel, often in yellow. Many women do as well but others wear high-heeled [[Sandal (footwear)|sandal]]s, often in silver or gold [[tinsel]]. The distinction is the djellabas has a [[hood]], while a [[Kaftan]] does not. The women’s djellabas are mostly of bright colors with ornate patterns, stitching, or beading, while men wear djellabas in plainer, neutral colors. Women are strongly attached to their "Moroccan [[wardrobe]]", despite the financial costs involved. The production of such [[garment]]s is relatively expensive, as most of the work is done by hand. Despite the costs involved most women purchase a minimum of one new [[kaftan]] or "tk'chita" every year, normally for a special, social event, such as a religious festival or a [[wedding]]. Nowadays, it is an unwritten rule that Moroccan dress is worn at such events. ==Cinema== *1944: Establishment of the "Moroccan Cinematographic Center" (CCM/The governing body). Studios were open in [[Rabat]]. *1958: Mohammed Ousfour creates the first Moroccan movie "Le fils maudit" (The damned son). *1982: The first national festival of cinema. - [[Rabat]]. *1968: The first Mediterranean Film Festival is held in [[Tangier]]. The Mediterranean Film Festival in its new version is held in [[Tetouan]]. *2001: The first [[International Film Festival of Marrakech]] is held in [[Marrakech]] ===Movies in Morocco===<!-- This section is linked from [[Black Hawk Down (film)]] --> ''For main list, please refer to [[List of foreign movies shot in Morocco]]'' Many foreign directors were seduced by the beauty and the magic of Morocco. After [[Louis Lumière]], it was time for [[Orson Welles]] to film his "Othello". The movie won the ''Palme d'Or'' prize in [[Cannes Film Festival]]. In 1955, [[Alfred Hitchcock]] directed ''[[The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)|The Man Who Knew Too Much]]'' while [[David Lean]] did ''[[Lawrence of Arabia (film)|Lawrence of Arabia]]'' in [[1962]]. Especially the place [[Aït Benhaddou]] has been the setting of many films. There is also a large cinematographic centre near the city of [[Ouarzazate]]. ==Domestic architecture== {{main|Moroccan architecture}} ''Dar'', the name given to one of the most common types of domestic structures in Morocco, is a home found in a ''medina'', or walled urban area of a city. Most Moroccan homes traditionally adhere to the ''Dar al-Islam'', a series of tenets on Islamic domestic life. <ref>[Verner, 2004, p.9]</ref>. ''Dar'' exteriors are typically devoid of ornamentation and windows, except occasional small openings in secondary quarters, such as stairways and service areas. These piercing provide light and ventilation <ref>[Verner, 2004, p.41-42]</ref>. ''Dars'' are typically composed of thick, high walls that protect inhabitants from thievery, animals, and other such hazards; however, they have a much more symbolic value from an Arabic perspective. In this culture the exterior represents a place of work, while the interior represents a place of refuge.<ref>[Verner, 2004, p.9-10]</ref> Thus, Moroccan interiors are often very lavish in decoration and craft. Consistent with most Islamic architecture, ''dars'' are based around small open-air patios, surrounded by very tall thick walls, to block direct light and minimize heat.<ref>[Verner, 2004, p.41-42]</ref> Intermediary triple-arched porticos lead to usually two to four symmetrically located rooms. These rooms have to be long and narrow, creating very vertical spaces, because the regional resources and construction technology typically only allow for joists that are usually less than thirteen feet.<ref>[Verner, 2004, p.41-42]</ref> Upon entering a ''dar'', guests move through a zigzagging passageway that hides the central courtyard. The passageway opens to a staircase leading to an upstairs reception area called a ''dormiria'', which often is the most lavish room in the home adorned with decorative tilework, painted furniture, and piles of embroidered pillows and rugs. More affluent families also have greenhouses and a second ''dormiria'', accessible from a street-level staircase. Service quarters and stairways were always at the corners of the structures.<ref>[Verner, 2004, p.41-42]</ref> ==External links== *[http://www.mincom.gov.ma/english/gallery/music/music.html Traditional Moroccan music] from Morocco's Ministry of Communication *[http://www.fantasticmorocco.com Fantastic Morocco] A practical travel guide to Morocco culture *[http://www.magicmorocco.com/morocco_culture.html The Culture of Morocco] *[http://french.about.com/library/travel/bl-ma-index.htm Moroccan Culture Series] {{Africa in topic|Culture of}} [[Category:African culture]] [[Category:Berber culture]] [[Category:Moroccan culture|*]] [[ar:ثقافة المغرب]] [[fr:Culture du Maroc]] ==References== {{reflist}} * Verner, Corince. (2004). ''The villas and riads of Morocco''. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers [[pt:Cultura de Marrocos]]