Moroccan Kingdom

What is normal in your country but weird in the rest of the world?

Greetings from Morocco !

Located in North Africa, Morocco is the only African country that has access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

We are a Kingdom. And we love our king!

His Majesty the King Mohammed VI is the twenty-third monarch of the Alaouite dynasty, one of the six dynasties that have ruled Morocco since the second half of the 17th century.

The Atlas lion (also called Barbary Lion) is the national animal of Morocco

The Barbary lions lived in the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, from Morocco to Egypt.

We have them in our coat of arms:

We have the Oldest University in the world !

The University of al-Qarawiyyin is located in the imperial city of Fez. It is the oldest existing, continually operating higher educational institution in the world according to UNESCO and Guinness World Records.

This university was founded by a woman called Fatima al-Fihri in 859.

We have one of the most Famous Squares in the world

Destination of all magic, Jamaâ El Fna is a square and market place in Marrakesh’s medina quarter (old city, that tells through its storytellers, dancers, water sellers and snake charmers,

the history of Morocco yesterday and today while subjugating its visitors by its charm that starts in the morning and still only reaches its peak in the evening.

A great selection of vintage moroccan rugs such as beni ourain carpets

Our cities are all unique with a mixture of traditional and modern touches

There are some examples :

Numerous Hollywood movies have been shot in Morocco !

Such as : Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999) ,Sex and the City 2 (2010) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)…. etc

Some scenes from “Game of Thrones” Were also filmed in the southern Moroccan town of Ouarzazate and its surrounding.

Harmonious coexistence between all Religions

Islam is the majority and constitutionally established state religion in Morocco. But Religious tolerance is known and recognized for the harmonious coexistence between Muslims, Jews and Christians

The face to face between The Saint Martyrs Church and the Mosque Rue El Iman Ali in the city of Marrakech , and their symmetrical configuration are seen as a symbol of inter-religous tolerance.

Some of us live in Riads (traditional Moroccan houses)

The term comes from the Arab word “ryad “(meaning garden) , but is applied to townhouses built around an inner courtyard or garden.

True riads will have lush plants in four planting beds and a central fountain, but many variations exist.

We call our living rooms “salon” !

Like all Mediterranean countries, we spent a lot of time with family and friends, we also visit each other a lot. So, there is no better place than your salon to receive and enjoy time with your beloved ones.

. Are Moroccans Amphibian?

Of course not, but we love to go to The Hammam (Traditional public baths) at least once a week. It’s a sanitary habit that remained deeply rooted in our daily life from old generations.

Mint tea is our drug !

Fresh mint tea is the traditional beverage of Morocco; we consume it at any time of the day, either with breakfast, lunch, dinner… it’s absolutely delicious and very easy to make.

Cheap and Delicious food !

Moroccan cuisine is typically a mix of Amazigh, Arab, Andalusi, and Mediterranean cuisines, with slight European and sub-Saharan influences. This makes our plates various, rich, and delicious.

And trust me with only 10 MAD (1 US $), you can get a sandwich and a big cup of tea.

Couscous is the national dish. We have a custom to serve it especially on Fridays at lunchtime.

We usually eat couscous with our hands instead of spoons.

Hum… wait! Is that a funeral urn?

Of course not xD, it’s one of the most delicious dishes that you can only taste in Marrakesh.

It is a meat dish cooked in an earthenware pot (called Tangia), for four hours in the embers of the wood-fired oven.

Morocco’s Cafe Culture

We spend a lot of time in cafes, and we have a lot of them. They are a common part of Moroccans’ everyday socialization for a long time.

Every country has its own way of doing things when it comes to gratuities and Morocco is no different. So we don’t hesitate tipping if the service is good.

We eat snails!

Babbouche (Snails) is a wonderful dish in Morocco, but not many tourists pluck up the courage to try it hahaha.

Moroccan fashion is different

The traditional Moroccan clothing for both men and women is called djellaba, a long loose outfit with long sleeves and hood.

On special occasions we also wear a red cap called “Tarbush”, and a soft yellow babouche “Balgha”.

And Women wear “kaftans” dazzled by ornaments. The difference between djellaba and kaftans is a djellaba has hood while a kaftans does not.

Women also wear a traditional dress called “Takchita” composed of two layers. Unlike the kaftan which is a one-piece dress.

In the south areas of Morocco, the fashion is a little bit different.

Men usually put on “Deraa” which is a loose clothe open on the side to keep the body ventilated, while women wear the “Mlehfa” to protect themselves from the blowing sands caused by rough winds in the desert.

TANK YOU FOR READING