Moroccan Culture

By




After being in Morocco for a few days, I now realize just how different the Moroccan culture is from my own. The Moroccans so far have been very welcoming and accommodating.  As soon as we got out of the airport with our luggage we were greeted by our taxi driver, and whenever I attempted to place my luggage in the car he stopped me and insisted on doing it for me. We also tried to stack our plates after dinner one night at a restaurant and they insisted on us not stacking our plates for them. Many of the places we have visited have also greeted us with mint tea and tons of sweet pastries and juices. The Moroccan culture values generosity, and kind gestures are important aspects of their culture (IIEM - International Institute of Engineering & Management, 2024). Yesterday, a few of us were going to get crepes and churros from a restaurant before having to get back on our bus, but had already paid for them and could not get them in time. However, we came back several hours later and the guy who had originally taken our orders made sure to search for our receipt and served us the crepes without making us pay again even though it had been so long since we had to leave the first time. These experiences with the Moroccan culture have made me feel welcomed especially as someone who comes from a completely different cultural background and visiting a new country for the first time.  


The Moroccan culture is also largely influenced by Islam which is the most common religion in the country (IIEM - International Institute of Engineering & Management, 2024). I have noticed that many of Moroccan values and behaviors are largely driven by religion. For instance, many of the bathrooms I've gone to have a place for Muslims to wash their feet and/or prayer rooms. I have also noticed that cats are not kept as pets in Morocco, but are all over the streets and inside many public places. After speaking with some of the ENA students today, they explained to me that cats are not allowed to be kept as pets, but that the community feeds and respects them. I have also noticed almost every place we have visited has the same picture of the king, Mohammad VI.  



IIEM - International Institute of Engineering & Management. (2024, February 23). Exploring Moroccan Culture: a simple guide for international students. IIEM. https://iiem.ac.ma/exploring-moroccan-culture-a-simple-guide-for-international-students-2/#:~:text=Morocco%20is%20a%20blend%20of,for%20others%20are%20important%20values. 


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