Morocco Culture & Traditions

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Last updated:
03.01.2022

In the north of the African continent lies the Kingdom of Morocco, which is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco, or in Arabic, Maghreb al-Aqsa, means "far west."

Being so close to Europe, this country comprises cultures and traditions from many different places. You can explore the Eastern culture in all shades, from Carthage, later conquered by the Romans, to the Spanish colonists. However, Morocco culture is unique, and it is overflowing with hundreds of bright colors, music, carnivals, and theatrical performances.

Today we will go behind the scenes of this mysterious land to consider the fascinating aspects of Morocco culture and traditions. Your adventure to the land of Saidi drum rhythms, sophisticated architecture, and honey sweets has already begun; it's time to hit the road to Morocco tours!

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Quick facts about Morocco

  • Capital: Rabat
  • Continent: Africa
  • Currency: Moroccan dirham
  • Population: 36.91 million
  • Official languages: Arabic, Standard Moroccan Berber

Authentic Dining

During the meal, there is a large dish with couscous - wheat porridge - with meat and vegetables placed in the middle of the table. Spending Friday evenings eating couscous together with family, while discussing the latest news, is one of the common Morocco customs. Guests in a Moroccan house may be surprised by the lack of appliances. They prefer to eat with their hands, as they are considered cleaner.

Traditionally, food is taken only by the right hand, with three fingers. Bowls of water are prepared for washing hands before and after meals. Moroccans never consume bread during meals as they take a respectful attitude to this important food. Three cups of tea are usually drunk in small sips. The Muslim religion imposes a ban on drinking alcoholic beverages, so it is not acceptable to keep alcohol at home.

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If you are a foodie, do not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the country's traditional dishes. Our article about Traditional food in Morocco was created especially for you! In it, you will find many exciting things about Moroccan dishes and the subtleties of their presentation.

Millions of worlds in one bottle
A very colorful city in terms of gastronomy is Marrakech. In this city, you can experience authentic Mediterranean flavors. It is said thatMarrakech is a city of "millions of worlds in one bottle" because of its diversity and vibrancy.

No cuddles, please

The inhabitants of Morocco do not accept tactile communication in public. It is not customary for them to hug and kiss when meeting. While persons of the same sex are allowed to initiate acquaintance with a symbolic triple kiss and a handshake at the first meeting, representatives of the opposite sex are never greeted in this manner.

When greeting people of different genders, it is common to nod to each other or occasionally shake hands. Kissing a woman's hand, common in Western countries, can be perceived as an extreme degree of flirtation.

Emotions are personal
Morocco is very fond of sports, especially football. But dancing, for example, is not common in Morocco in public. Dance for Moroccans and close tactile contact is a personal and emotional expression of feelings, and it is not customary to share this in public.

Guests are welcome!

Moroccans are very hospitable, regardless of economic status. A guest for a Moroccan is always an influential and respected person. He will be offered all the best that is in the house. According to an ancient custom, dates and milk are presented to a special guest of honor. This basic food of the nomads of the Sahara became Moroccan bread-salt. In addition, each guest will definitely be given green tea, which has become an integral part of their traditional mint tea, even jokingly called "Moroccan whiskey."

It originated relatively recently, in the middle of the 19th century. Then, because of the Crimean War, British tea merchants began to lose the Slavic market. Naturally, they had to find another place to sell their goods. The Moroccans took their tea with delight, as it made the taste of their traditional mint tea softer. Moroccan tea is served in small glass cups, often decorated with a picturesque pattern, on a silver or copper tray. When the tea is poured into glasses, the kettle is raised as high as possible to form a persistent foam.

Mint tea is drunk at any time of the day, but usually after lunch. Sweets are served with tea. Moroccans like to say that tea should be bitter as death, sweet as life, and pleasant as love.

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The Code of a Good Guest
The rule of good taste is to try the dishes served by the house owner. Fastidiousness to what is served food is regarded as disrespectful, so you may have a hard time if you adhere to a specific diet.

Decorative arts in Morocco

When planning a trip to Morocco, pay particular attention to Moroccan decorative arts. The stalls of Moroccan markets and shops are full of actual works of art filled with African motifs of local tribes mixed with symbols of the Arab world. However, the main pride of Morocco is carpets and fabrics. Moroccan rugs come in two types – Rabat and Berber.

A family tradition of carpet weaving goes back generations. This craft's secrets were passed down from generation to generation through the female line. Moroccan women, who do not have much freedom of action, put their feelings, experiences, and messages to their beloved into carpet drawings. A sign of a woman's high status in Morocco is jewelry. Usually, you can’t view the jewelry on the women, because they prefer to keep all decorations under their traditional Moroccan clothing. Jewelry is made mainly of silver. Moroccan men are engaged in jewelry making, and this handicraft is part of family traditions. Secrets are passed from father to son.

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Generally, you can divide jewelry into Spanish- Moorish and Berber styles. Berber style is characterized by more restrained colors and simple shapes with fancy ornaments. On the other hand, the Spanish-Moorish style is famous for its openwork and the ability of the authors to fill the whole available space with ornaments.

It is also worth paying attention to Moroccan leather goods. Skin treatment, in this country, began to be practiced many centuries ago. However, the fundamental technologies have not changed. The city of Fez is well-known as the capital of Moroccan leather production. The dressing and coloring of the skin are done manually. Animal skins are soaked in special mixtures and solutions, dyed with natural dyes, washed in wooden containers, and dried and treated with a unique composition to soften the skin. Moroccan leather is one of the most delicate and soft in the world. Amazing leather products are sewn from it: bags, belts, and purses are among the most prevalent crafts. In addition to high-quality leather, there are unusual embossing and ornaments on such products, made with a special press.

Morocco Souvenirs Checklist

  • Spices
  • Dried fruits and nuts
  • Cookies and sweets
  • Olives
  • Mint tea or coffee
  • Hard perfume and Berber lipstick
  • Jackets, bags and belts
  • Shawls and stoles
  • Silver Jewelry
  • Tableware
  • Berber carpet

Merry holidays and rituals

The most sacred and meaningful holiday of the entire Muslim world is Ramadan. During the day, Muslims observe the strictest fasting rules and do not drink or eat while the sun is up.They continue their 5 times a day daily prayers. After sunset, restaurants and entertainment venues open. During the Eid al-Saghir period, theatrical performances, carnivals, and colorful street processions occur until dawn.

Marrakech hosts an annual two-week Folk Arts Festival. It begins in mid-summer or early autumn, in the ancient ruins of the el–Badiya palace. Folklore troupes, artisans, and artists come from all over Morocco. The Folk Arts Festival is a marvelous show: one of the main celebrations of the country.

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“African Hollywood”
A lot of films were shot in the Kingdom of Morocco, which began in the era of silent films. However, the real pilgrimage to the Moroccan shores for full-scale filming started after World War II. For example, Alfred Hitchcock shot "The Man Who Knew Too Much" here, and David Lin shot "Lawrence of Arabia." The films Gladiator, Asterix, and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Alexander, 007: Spectrum, and the third season of Game of Thrones were shot in Morocco.

Morocco is a country of contrasts, deserts, and extravaganza that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually with its diversity. By choosing a trip to Morocco with Firebird Tours, you get the opportunity to enjoy an expertly composed journey, explore African culture in all its splendor, and get the most out of the culture and traditions of this magnificent country! So contact our destination specialists today and get the customized Morocco tour of your dreams!