Culture of Morocco

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Culture of Morocco - Morocco is a country of multi-ethnic groups with a rich culture and civilization. Through Moroccan history, Morocco hosted many people coming from both East (Phoenicians, Jews and Arabs), South (Africans) and North (Romans, Vandals, Moors and Jews). All of which have had an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It conceived all forms of beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam.

Each region possesses its own specificities, contributing, thus, to the making of national culture and to the civilization legacy. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its legacy and the preservation of its cultural identity.

Ethnically and culturally speaking, Morocco nowadays can be considered the least Arabic among Arab countries. Most of its population are of Berber origins.

Contents 1 Facts and figures 2 Ethnics and languages 3 Traditional clothing 4 Cinema 4.1 History 4.2 Movies in Morocco 5 Literature 6 External links

[edit] Facts and figures

Main article: Demographics of Morocco

The following figures are taken from the CIA factbook [1].

• Population: 29,891,708 (September 2004 census)
• Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
• Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
• Literacy: (definition: age 15 and over can read and write) total population: 51.7% (male: 64.1% / female: 39.4%) (2003 est.)
• Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court

[edit] Ethnics and languages

Morocco is considered an Arab-Berber country. About 40% acknowledge a Berber identity, though many more have Berber ancestry. Berbers are identified primarily by language but also by traditional customs and culture - such as the distinctive music and dances. Berber is not yet officially recognized in Morocco, though French (the colonial language) is. Arabic remains the official language of Morocco and used in daily socio-economic and cultural activities.

Linguistically, Berber belongs to the Afro-Asiatic group, and has many dialects. The three main dialects used in Morocco are Tachelhit, Tamazight and Tarifit. Collectively, those berber languages they are known as "chelha" in Arabic.

Tachelhit (sometimes known as "soussia" or "chelha") is spoken in south-west Morocco, in an area between Sidi Ifni in the south, Agadir in the north and Marrakech and the Draa/Sous valleys in the east. Tamazight is spoken in the Middle Atlas, between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal and Errachidia. Tarifit (or Rifia) is spoken in the Rif area of northern Morocco.

For more detailed information on this subject see: Berber languages.

Although Berbers were eventually converted to Islam, their ethnic and linguistic purity has remained. More than a dozen Amazigh (Berber) associations were created in the last few years. Newsstands and bookstores in all the major cities are filled with new Amazigh magazines and other publications that provide articles about the Amazigh culture. The state owned TV station RTM has started broadcasting news bulletins in the 3 Berber languages since the mid 90's.

[edit] Traditional clothing

The traditional dress for men is called djellaba; a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called tarbouche and mostly referred to as Fez. Nearly all men wear baboosh—those soft leather slippers with no heel, often in yellow. Many women do as well but others wear high-heeled sandals, often in silver or gold tinsel.

The distinction is the djellabas has a hood, while a Kaftan does not. The women’s djellabas are mostly of bright colors with ornate patterns, stitching, or beading, while men wear djellabas in plainer, neutral colors. Women are strongly attached to their "Moroccan wardrobe", despite the financial costs involved. The production of such garments is relatively expensive, as most of the work is done by hand. Despite the costs involved most women purchase a minimum of one new kaftan or "tk'chita" every year, normally for a special, social event, such as a religious festival or a wedding. Nowadays, it is an unwritten rule that Moroccan dress is worn at such events.

[edit] Cinema

[edit] History

Morocco knew cinema since 1897 through the filming of "Le chevalier Marocain" (The Moroccan knight) by Louis Lumière. Between that time and 1944, many foreign movies were shot in Morocco, especially in the Ouarzazate area. The following are the key dates in Moroccan cinema:

• 1944: Establishment of the "Moroccan Cinematographic Center" (CCM/The governing body). Studios were open in Rabat.
• 1958: Mohammed Ousfour creates the first Moroccan movie "Le fils maudit" (The damned son).
• 1982: The first national festival of cinema. - Rabat.
• 1968: The first Mediterranean Film Festival is held in Tangier. The Mediterranean Film Festival in its new version is held in Tetouan.
• 2001: The first International Film Festival of Marrakech is held in Marrakech

[edit] Movies in Morocco

For main list, please refer to List of foreign movies shot in Morocco

Many foreign directors were seduced by the beauty and the magic of Morocco. After Louis Lumière, it was time for Orson Welles to film his "Othello". The movie won the Palme d'Or prize in Cannes Film Festival. In 1955, Alfred Hitchcock directed The Man Who Knew Too Much while David Lean did Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. Especially the place Aït Benhaddou has been the setting of many films. There is also a large cinematographic centre near the city of Ouarzazate.

[edit] Literature

Main article: Moroccan literature

Over the three years from 2002 through 2004, 2,791 books were published in Morocco. The average edition was of 2,000 copies. About a third of the titles were self-published. [2]

[edit] External links

• Traditional Moroccan music from Morocco's Ministry of Communication
• The Culture of Morocco
• Moroccan Culture Series