Blog 4

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 Social status in Morocco is even pervasive within natural resources. Rights to water in rural communities are determined by "elders" or chosen sages within the community (Museum of Water "Mohammed VI," 2022). There are Jemaa's in some rural communities, which are essentially a group of users of a "jointly owned structure" (Museum of Water "Mohammed VI," 2022). The Jemaa designate a person to be in charge of the water distribution making sure is is fair and inline with the rights defined by the former founders (Museum of Water "Mohammed VI," 2022). In some towns, water was originally divided to each user depending on rank and since then, from generation to generation the water shares are divided in halves, quarters, sixths, and twelfths (Museum of Water "Mohammed VI," 2022). This distribution of leadership can cause miasma between those in the western world with no spiritual or religious beliefs surrounding natural resources and those whose governmental operations are intrinsically tied with holistic spiritual views. 

In America, our rights to water are determined by stream flows, state lines, and conflicting laws. There are fault-lines concerning "rights" to water and the effects of use and climate change on water scarcity. While Moroccan's do have a serious lack of water and drought issues, their "rights" to water are foundational within the Quran, which states that all people deserve the right to water. (Museum of Water "Mohammed VI," 2022). People no mater social status should be given the same rights to water as anyone else. 

I find the Moroccan views on water and its relation to social status to be much more romantic than anywhere else in the United States. I appreciate that they see water as a gift that should be shared amongst all, even if that is not the reality at all times. Anyone we have spoken to, no matter the social status views sharing as a fundamental truth and core value for all in Morocco. I think if we had these same ethical values in the United States our xenophobia for the values of other countries would be decreased and we would be able to appreciate the beliefs of others more. 


www.watermuseums.net/project/ 

Comments

  1. Derek BMay 29, 2022 at 5:52 AM

    The issue with water and social status is quite prevalent I have noticed. There is a strong correlation with water and money. We have noticed that there are no locals of the land with drought that have large wealth. In those small communities we can see water and communal sharing much more frequently. More water deprived communities fight a common struggle and have no time and cannot waste energy on social structure. The Koran has a quote that Hamid mentions which was "we made from water every living thing". Having this emphasis on water. Also with the school to teach nomadic people agricultural practices. These people are poor with nomadic social class and are expected to practice a technique they do not know with no resources. These low social class people have been given no water which is a trend in Morocco.

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