Life in a Medina

By

    Throughout our time in Morocco, we have traveled to various cities with different cultures and customs. A common feature in almost every place we have been to has been their Medinas. Medina is the old and historic part of the city in Morocco. It is usually surrounded by high walls which were used as a way of protection during historic times. Inside these cities are people who live a completely different way of life than someone like I could imagine. The streets inside are small and narrow which often makes it impossible to travel by car. Instead, you see people carrying their belongings with push carts or donkeys. Walking through these places, I always look to compare them to my way of life back home. Historically the Medinas were a place where rich and poor alike lived. Although it is hard to tell by only walking around the outside, cities like Fes where we visited are filled with homes from people of all walks of life impossible to tell from the outside. The city of Albany, GA where I am from is completely different in a lot of aspects. It is a rural town in South Georgia where people live in houses and own land. Even though Albany is one of the poorest cities in Georgia it is still a place that feels comfortable to me. While an abundance of space for me often feels like a virtue, for many less fortunate it's only another barrier in their life. Where they can go, work, and shop is limited by if they have a car or means of transportation. Living in a medina almost completely takes away this barrier of transportation. Families inside are able to buy clothes and food, go to work, school, and even Church all within the walls of the city. Many of the things they need or to do are just a short walk from where they live and it has been that way for the hundreds of years that these cities have been around. One of my biggest takeaways personally from this trip has been what I have taken for granted. The lifestyle that I was born into is something the most of the world would dream to have.







References

Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Medina of Fez.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/170/. Accessed 13 June 2023. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Am I? Think Again. Exploring Authentic Identities

By
Image
This video is part of the  TED Talks  series.  TED  (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a nonprofit devoted to disseminating "ideas worth spreading." I thought the idea of  creating authentic identity through failed imitation  was a great theme to begin the course as well as the blog. My hope is that you will step outside of the  status quo  and use your creative nature to complete the assignments and explore identity in a global context throughout this semester. What are your thoughts about Hetain Patel's presentation?
Read more

Culture: Young Entrepreneurs in Morocco

By
Image
     Cruising through Morocco's bustling streets, I encountered something remarkable: young children, barely school-aged, hustling to make ends meet. As a supporter of instilling a strong work ethic in children, these encounters made me reflect on the societal dynamics at play. Unlike the lemonade stands or school fundraisers I'm used to back home, these children weren't just seeking pocket money; they were often selling goods to survive and working to support their families.      This reality raised questions about education policies in Morocco.  According to a report by Human Rights Watch, although Moroccan law prohibits children under 15 from working, exceptions are made for those engaged in economic activity. The report highlights that approximately 1.2 million children in Morocco are engaged in economic activity, with 372,000 of them being under the age of twelve. This statistic highlights the frequency of child labor in the country and the challenges it poses to educa
Read more

Blog Post 1

By
Image
       During our first tour of The Hassan II Mosque, I asked our tour guide about the headscarves most women wore. She informed me that the hijab, donned by numerous Muslim women in Morocco, is deeply ingrained in religious teachings, symbolizing modesty and adherence to Islamic principles. The meaning of “hijab” means “to conceal” in Arabic. It is the idea of covering yourself to honor God, and not draw sexual attention. Quranic verses and Hadith literature underscore the importance of modest attire, urging both genders to cover themselves and preserve modesty.      For Moroccan Muslim women, wearing the hijab transcends cultural tradition; it's a religious duty, showcasing their commitment to Islamic values. Serving as a tangible expression of faith, the hijab signifies submission to divine commandments and dedication to upholding religious ideals in daily life. Beyond its physical manifestation, the hijab carries spiritual significance, embodying a woman's inner modesty, di
Read more