Large cities have medinas and souks are core markets, usually in the center of the medina. Large souks, such as those of the medina of Fez, home textile shops, spices, furniture, carpets and jewelry. Artists and craftsmen plying their wares Moroccan and talents every day. Morocco, which has been known for centuries for its artisans, selling leather products and carpets, shoes, and even the highest quality spices.
Moroccan women have made carpets for millennia. Moroccan carpets are now available only to those who are willing to pay the price. Making of a rug can a month or more than a year to complete. Moroccan carpets are famous for quality, both in manufacturing and colors. Rates often depend on whether the carpet is woven or knotted. Knotted carpets take much longer and are much more expensive. Berber carpets are probably the most famous. Carpets of those who live in the High Atlas mountains people are known to rich warm colors. Carpets made by the people of South Meknes more detailed weaves.
Leather goods are another famous Moroccan craft work. Leather work in Morocco lasted as long as carpet weaving. Different regions of Morocco qualified for the manufacture of various items. In the Rif mountains, artisans make satchels, shoulder bags, belts and terracotta covered in leather. Marrakech artists are known for leather clothes and camel saddles. Other things such as yellow banana slippers (slippers) and ottomans are also very popular and available in most of the medinas.
Painted boxes and bowls are just a few examples of woodwork that is available in areas such as Essaouira. Various areas are known for different things in wood. Around Essaouira, the elements are made from magnifying glasses of the aromatic cedar tree. Beautiful bowls and boxes and furniture are carved from the wood. Boxes are painted and carved wooden lattice found in the region of Fez. Marrakech has bigger things such as painted or carved panels, chests inlaid designs that have developed or doors.
Jewelry making is another well-known Moroccan craftsmanship. Earlier in the country's history, the Jewish people living in different regions of Morocco were jewelry makers. They spent the occupation through the ages. Today, there are many skilled artists working with gold and silver. As woodworking, different types of jewelry are manufactured in different regions of Morocco.
Marrakech was the main stop in Morocco for the caravan routes completing the trans-Saharan Journey. Marrakech Jewelry found influence in sub-Saharan Africa. Tangier and Fez have jewelry that shows the Andalusia drawings, while enamel is most popular in Essaouira. In rural areas, the money is most appreciated. The Berber people in the mountains work their jewelry from this precious metal. Here money is transformed into necklaces, bracelets, anklets and forehead diadems. Berbers are also daggers inlaid with precious stones, trays and tea services along with silver boxes and pots.
Moroccans make basketry from palm trees. Colorful hats, straw trays and boxes are manufactured in very town in the country.
Ceramic is another famous handicraft. Clay jars; vases, plates and baking dishes called tagines were made for centuries in Morocco. Each region of the country is known for a type of ceramic or color. Pottery Zagoran has a greenish finish, probably influenced by the green of the oasis. Sale colored glazing on its decorative pottery. Fez has the most famous pottery that uses many colors with silver inlays. Berber Artisan near to Marrakech ocher ware. Ceramic tiles are originally Moroccan mosaics that are famous. Many cooperatives have been trained to do these ceramic tiles. Cooperatives of Fez are the best known. Develop models are created by these groups.
The aforementioned goods are only a few that can be found in Morocco. Craftsmen work in gold, stones, and use copper and iron. Embroidered textiles are another type of popular crafts in Morocco, with hand-woven textiles. A visit to a medina or souk would show a lot of things done in Morocco.
Les grandes villes ont médinas et souks sont des marchés centraux, généralement dans le centre de la médina. Grandes souks, tels que ceux de la médina de Fès, la maison des magasins de textiles, des épices, des meubles, des tapis et des bijoux. Les artistes et les artisans marocains sillonnent leurs marchandises et les talents de tous les jours. Le Maroc, qui a connu depuis des siècles pour ses artisans, vente de produits en cuir et des tapis, des chaussures, et même des épices de la plus haute qualité.
Les femmes marocaines ont fait tapis et moquettes pendant des millénaires. Tapis marocains sont maintenant disponibles seulement à ceux qui sont prêts à payer le prix. Making of d'un tapis peut un mois ou plus d'un an à compléter. Tapis marocains sont célèbres pour la qualité, à la fois dans la fabrication et les couleurs. Les prix dépendent souvent de savoir si le tapis est tissé ou noué. Tapis noués prennent beaucoup plus de temps et sont beaucoup plus chers. Tapis berbères sont probablement le plus célèbre. Tapis de ceux qui vivent dans les montagnes du Haut Atlas gens sont connus pour riches couleurs chaudes. Tapis consentis par le peuple sud de Meknès ont tissages plus détaillées.
Objets en cuir sont un autre célèbre ouvrage d'artisanat marocain. Travail du cuir au Maroc durait depuis aussi longtemps que le tissage de tapis. Différentes régions du Maroc sont qualifiés à la fabrication de différents articles. Dans les montagnes du Rif, les artisans font cartables, sacs à bandoulière, ceintures et terre cuite recouvert de cuir. Marrakech artistes sont connus pour vêtements en cuir et de chameau selles. Autres choses telles que des babouches de banane jaune (chaussons) et poufs sont également très populaires et disponibles dans la plupart des médinas.
Boîtes et bols peints ne sont que quelques exemples de boiseries qui est disponible dans des domaines tels tels que Essaouira. Différents domaines sont connus pour des choses différentes en bois. Autour Essaouira, les éléments sont fabriqués à partir de loupes de l'arbre de thuya aromatique. Belles bols et boîtes ainsi que des meubles sont sculptés à partir de ce bois. Boîtes peintes et sculptées sont treillis en bois trouvés dans la région de Fès. Marrakech a de plus grandes choses telles que panneaux peints ou sculptés, des coffres qui ont des conceptions marquetés ou portes élaborées.
Fabrication de bijoux est un autre artisanat marocain bien connu. Plus tôt dans l'histoire du pays, les gens juifs vivant dans différentes régions du Maroc ont été les fabricants de bijoux. Ils passèrent le métier à travers les âges. Aujourd'hui, il ya beaucoup d'artistes qualifiés qui travaillent avec de l'or et l'argent. Comme le travail du bois, différents types de bijoux sont fabriqués dans différentes régions du Maroc.
Marrakech a été le principal arrêt au Maroc pour les routes caravanières qui terminent le trans-saharienne Journey. Bijoux à Marrakech a trouvé l'influence en Afrique sub-saharienne. Tanger et Fès ont bijoux qui montre les dessins Andalousie, tout en émail est le plus populaire à Essaouira. Dans les zones rurales, l'argent est le plus apprécié. Les peuples berbères dans les montagnes travaillent leurs bijoux à partir de ce métal précieux. Voici argent est transformé en colliers, bracelets, bracelets de cheville et diadèmes de front. Berbères, font aussi des poignards incrustés de pierres précieuses, des plateaux et des services de thé le long avec des boîtes d'argent et des pots.
Marocains font vannerie à partir de palmiers. Chapeaux colorés, plateaux et boîtes de paille sont fabriqués en très village dans le pays.
La céramique est un autre célèbre objet artisanal. Jarres d'argile; vases, assiettes et plats de cuisson appelées tajines ont été faites pendant des siècles au Maroc. Chaque région du pays est connu pour un certain type de céramique ou de couleur. Poterie Zagoran a une finition verdâtre, probablement influencé par le vert de l'oasis. Vente a coloré vitrage sur sa poterie décorative. Fès a le plus célèbre de la poterie qui utilise beaucoup de couleurs avec des incrustations d'argent. Artisan berbère près de Marrakech faire ocre ware. Les carreaux de céramique sont à l'origine des mosaïques marocaines qui sont célèbres. Beaucoup de coopératives ont été formés pour faire ces carreaux de céramique. Les coopératives de Fès sont les plus connus. Élaborer des modèles sont créés par ces groupes.
Ces marchandises susmentionnées ne sont que quelques-uns qui peuvent être trouvés au Maroc. Les artisans travaillent dans l'or, de pierres, et utilisent le cuivre et le fer. Textiles brodés sont un autre type d'artisanat célèbre au Maroc, avec des textiles tissés à la main. Une visite à une médina ou souk serait montrer beaucoup de choses faites au Maroc.
Morocco mint tea Few people outside the cities have clocks in Morocco, planning instead of their days on the five calls to prayer and the five daily meals. Yes, five years ago. Breakfast is early morning, followed by a second breakfast at midmorning. Lunch is served at noon and in the afternoon there is a break for tea and bread. Finally, dinner is served in the evening.
These rhythms are predictable and universally across the country. What you can expect to find on a Moroccan table at one of these meals is not too hard to guess. Morocco has a long and proud culinary tradition, and families rarely exceed away bases. Fortunately, the basics are universally delicious.
Pain - If a Moroccan house without bread, something is deeply wrong. Bread is the only true staple of the Moroccan diet, and girls learn how to bake bread for their families at an early age. While breads vary from family to family, most are circular patties and cooked using all the grains are grown locally. The breakfast usually includes bread with butter or jam and bread is also an integral part of other meals and snacks throughout the day.
Tea - The other pillar of the Moroccan food, tea is the national drink and revered as such. This is not tea, you probably had before, however; Moroccan tea is brewed in a very certain way. Starting with the green tea style gunpowder, masses of sugar and fresh mint sprigs are added to the soaking infusion, creating a syrupy sweet concoction that is never far from any table. It is served with breakfast and coffee breaks, and for dessert after lunch and dinner. While visitors often struggle with the sugar content, the Moroccans will be impressed if you take tea as they do. There is something to try at least once if you have a real sweet tooth, you will feel like home.
Tagine - The name of this dish actually comes from the conical clay pot in which it is prepared and served. Tagine is a thick vegetable stew, irrespective of the hand or in the season with a little meat added to the medium. The dish is served hot, and presented in a single dish to the table of guests. Moroccan meals are a communal affair and the tagine is shared from the single pot, with each diner keeping their own "triangle" of the parabola. Rather than using spoons or forks, tajine is eaten with bread. Tear off a small piece a wider range, the idea is to use the bread to absorb some stock while picking up some vegetables and meat. Tagine is usually eaten for dinner and lunch and standard meal in the Moroccan regime.
Couscous - When people think of Moroccan food, they often think of couscous. Moroccans are proud of their de facto national dish, and are very particular about their preparation. Instead of boiling the dried couscous in a covered pot as is often done in North America, couscous is placed in a steamer over boiling vegetable pot. Couscous is steamed in this way for an hour or more, eat periodically by hand. When the couscous is ready, it is served in one large plate, vegetables poured on top. As with tagine, couscous is eaten by hand a difficult skill for visitors to develop. Due to the nature of the work-intensive preparation, couscous is seen more as a special dish used daily. Many families have couscous every Friday (holy day), and in honor of the guests or special events.
Thé à la menthe Maroc Peu de gens en dehors des villes ont des horloges au Maroc, la planification à la place de leurs jours autour des cinq appels à la prière et les cinq repas quotidiens. Oui, il ya cinq ans. Le petit déjeuner est tôt le matin, suivi d'un deuxième petit déjeuner au milieu de la matinée. Le déjeuner est servi à midi, et dans l'après-midi il ya une pause pour le thé et le pain. Enfin, le dîner est servi en fin de soirée.
Ces rythmes sont prévisibles et universellement à travers le pays. Qu'est-ce que vous pouvez vous attendre à trouver sur une table marocaine à l'un de ces repas est également pas trop difficile à deviner. Le Maroc a une longue et fière tradition culinaire, et les familles excèdent rarement loin des bases. Heureusement, les bases sont universellement délicieux.
Pain - Si une maison marocaine est sans pain, quelque chose est profondément erronée. Le pain est le seul vrai aliment de base des régimes alimentaires marocaines, et les filles apprennent comment faire cuire le pain de leur famille à un âge précoce. Alors que les pains varient d'une famille à, la plupart sont des galettes circulaires et sont cuits en utilisant tous les grains sont cultivés localement. Le petit déjeuner comprend habituellement pain avec du beurre ou de la confiture et du pain fait également partie intégrante d'autres repas et collations tout au long de la journée.
Thé - L'autre pilier de l'alimentation marocaine, le thé est la boisson nationale et vénéré en tant que telle. Cela ne veut pas de thé, vous avez probablement eu avant, cependant; Thé marocain est brassée dans une très certaine manière. À commencer par le thé vert de style de la poudre à canon, des masses de sucre et brins de menthe fraîches sont ajoutés à l'infusion de trempage, la création d'une concoction sirupeux-doux qui est jamais loin de toute table. Il est servi avec petits déjeuners et les pauses café, et comme dessert après le déjeuner et le dîner. Alors que les visiteurs ont souvent du mal avec la teneur en sucre, les Marocains seront impressionnés si vous prenez le thé comme ils le font. Il est quelque chose d'essayer au moins une fois, si vous avez une vraie dent sucrée, vous vous sentirez comme à la maison.
Tagine - Le nom de ce plat vient en fait du pot d'argile conique dans laquelle il est préparé et servi. Tagine est un ragoût épais de légumes, quelle que soit la main ou dans la saison, avec un peu de viande ajouté au milieu. Le plat est servi chaud, et présentées dans un seul plat à la table des convives. Repas marocains sont une affaire communale, et le tajine est partagé à partir du pot unique, avec chaque convive en gardant leur propre «triangle» de la parabole. Plutôt que d'utiliser des cuillères ou fourchettes, tajine se mange avec du pain. Déchirer un petit morceau hors une tranche plus large, l'idée est d'utiliser le pain pour absorber un peu de bouillon tout en ramassant certains des légumes et de la viande. Tagine est généralement consommé pour le dîner et le déjeuner et le repas standard dans le régime marocain.
Couscous - Quand les gens pensent des aliments marocains, ils pensent souvent du couscous. Les Marocains sont fiers de leur plat national de facto, et sont très particulier au sujet de sa préparation. Plutôt que de faire bouillir le couscous séché dans une casserole couverte comme on le fait souvent en Amérique du Nord, le couscous est placé dans un bateau à vapeur au-dessus d'un pot de légumes bouillant. Le couscous est cuit à la vapeur de cette façon pour une heure ou plus, bouffer périodiquement par la main. Lorsque le couscous est prêt, il est servi dans une seule grande assiette, les légumes versé sur le dessus. Comme avec tajine, le couscous est mangé par la main une compétence difficile pour les visiteurs de se développer. En raison de la nature du travail à forte intensité de sa préparation, le couscous est davantage perçue comme un plat d'occasion spéciale d'une base quotidienne. Beaucoup de familles ont couscous chaque vendredi (le jour saint), ainsi que dans l'honneur des invités ou des événements spéciaux.
Morocco is home to high mountain ranges, vast expanses of deserts, stunning green oasis, filled the national wildlife parks and miles of coastline. Table of natural wonders in the country to ensure that there is something for everyone. Although it can be difficult to narrow down the prices of attractions on your next trip to Morocco, here are three natural wonders that should not miss:
Todra
Located on the remote side of the High Atlas Mountains, Todra Gorge may be difficult to explore, unless you are on a trekking or climbing tower of Morocco. The gorge was carved out of the earth and the bottom of the canyon runs several miles through the Atlas mountains. The walls of the canyon are imposing Todra a most spectacular rock formations in all of North Africa.
There is a road that runs the length of the throat, and you can drive all the way through it if you have access to a vehicle. Halfway through the Todra there is a hotel. Hikers and climbers are invited to stay here or at one of the many campsites along the canyon floor.
Perhaps the most spectacular part of the gorge is beyond the hotel in the last half mile from the canyon where the rock formations begin to shrink. In some places, the canyon is only 30 feet wide. The walls are smooth and impressively rising on both sides. Sunlight is struggling to reach this part of the valley and the river water is freezing.
At the end of the gorge of the canyon suddenly opens to a clearing and the river flows freely. From there, the villages of Tinghir, Ait Hani Imilchil Tamtattouchte and are easy to reach. To better enjoy the Todra Gorge, arriving before 08:00 and stay until early afternoon when the sun is at its best.
Toubkal National Park
Trekking through this national park is radically different from that bustling Marrakech, which is located less than 50 miles north. Located in the center of the High Atlas mountains, Toubkal National Park is nearly 250,000 acres. It is the oldest national park in Morocco.
A variety of flora and fauna flourish in Toubkal National Park, in part because of its climate. Big oaks, pines and junipers and several herbs used by local Berber tribes are found in the forests of the park. Toubkal National Park enjoys a hot and sunny all year round, even when snow falls in the higher altitudes during the winter. Make the most of your time here by going to the summer when all the hiking trails are available and free of ice and snow.
High Atlas Valleys
What goes up must come down, and that is the case with trekking in the High Atlas Mountains. As beautiful as the mountain peaks are valleys offer a warm welcome to hikers who are interested in identifying the Moroccan fauna. Mountain sheep, Barbary apes, eagles, hawks, lizards and snakes are all domiciled in parts of the valley.
The High Atlas valleys are also home to the local population, who often open their doors during the summer for hikers. Nestled among the towering mountain faces, you will have the chance to share their culture and taste fresh food they have prepared. Although the natural wonders of Morocco are fascinating, many visitors from countries remember their time with the locals as being the most significant.
The Saadian Tombs are located just outside Marrakech and the site is easily reached if visitors follow the Rue Bab Agnaou from the Djemma el Fna. From the Kasbah Mosque, the route to the tombs is well signposted. After the amazing discovery of the Saadian Tombs in 1917, this breathtaking site has been carefully restored and well cared for as it has become one the most popular attractions in Morocco.
Sultan Ahmed el Mansour constructed the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech during his rule of Morocco in the sixteenth century as a burial ground for himself and his descendants. This led to approximately two hundred members of the Saadian dynasty being buried here, including Sultan Ahmed el Mansour who was laid to rest in 1603. By the year 1672, Moulay Ismail had taken over power in Morocco and went about constructing his own legacy. He had the Badi Palace destroyed, but fortunately he could not bring himself as far as to demolish a place of burial. Instead he decided to seal all the entrances to the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech. The only entrance that was not closed was located within the Kasbah Mosque. And so the beauty and detailed woodwork of this amazing tomb slowly started to slip from memory until it was completely forgotten.
General Hubert Lyautey rediscovered the hidden beauty of the tombs and, on realizing their significant historical importance, immediately started the much needed restoration work. Most of the Saadian dynasty and royal descendants are buried within the mausoleums, with faithful and loyal servants and soldiers being given burial sites within the gardens. The tombs are lavish and breathtaking with the cemetery garden alive with rich fragrances of rosemary and roses, with large palm trees providing shade. Inside the mausoleums the beauty continues and visitors will be surprised by the stunning domed ceilings, detailed wood and marble carvings, mosaics and intricate plasterwork.
The most significant chamber in the tombs is the Hall of Twelve Columns. Here rests the Sultan Ahmed el Mansour and his entire family. This chamber is complete with vaulted roof, columns of Italian marble, beautifully decorated cedar doors and carved wooden screens. Inside the inner mausoleum lies Mohammed esh Sheikh, founder of the Saadian dynasty, as well as the tomb of the Sultan's mother.
One can only wonder how much the Saadian Tombs would have cost to construct today. With beauty, detail and luxury incorporated in every room, from the floor to the ceiling, it is not hard to see why these tombs have become one of the most visited attractions in Morocco.
A kefta is a robe that only Grisha wear. A kefta's color is based on what class the Grisha is part of, and some are even made with Materialki corecloth which can withstand bullets. The embroidery on a kefta's cuff also signifies class.
Kefta Colors
Black - Only The Darkling wears this color, though Alina Starkov wears a black kefta at the party.
Blue - Etherealki
Red - Corporalki
Purple - Materialki
White and gold - Servants
Ifrane is a town and ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco (population 73,782 in November 2014).Ifrane is 1,665 m (5,463 ft) in elevation and is part of the Meknès-Tafilalet region. In Tamazight, the regional Berber language, "ifran" means caves.
Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Moroccan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa: -24 °C. Animals to be found in the vicinity include the threatenedBarbary Macaque.Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane.
The first permanent settlement of the area dates to the 16th century, when the Sharif of Sîdî 'Abd al-Salâm established his community in theTizguit Valley, seven km downstream from the present town. By the mid-17th century the zâwiyah was well enough established to receive an extensive iqtâ' (land grant) from the 'Alâwî sultan Mûlây Rashîd b. Muhammad. While the founder’s lineage and the inhabitants were ethnically Arab, big groups of bebers from neighbouring areas migrated to the city which has made most inhabitant speak Central Atlas Tamazight.
Ifrane is a colonial “hill station”, and a “garden city”. It is also an “imperial city”, a mountain resort, a provincial administrative center, and a college town.
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Moroccans are extremely hospitable and very tolerant. Though most people are religious, they are generally easy-going, and most young Moroccan women don’t wear a veil, though they may well wear a headscarf. Nonetheless, you should try not to affront people’s religious beliefs, especially those of older, more conservative people, by, for example, wearing skimpy clothes, kissing and cuddling in public, or eating or smoking in the street during Ramadan.
Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women. It is true that in cities Moroccan women wear short-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts (and may suffer more harassment as a result), and men may wear sleeveless T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts. However, the Muslim idea of “modest dress” (such as would be acceptable in a mosque, for example) requires women to be covered from wrist to ankle, and men from over the shoulder to below the knee. In rural areas at least, it is a good idea to follow these codes, and definitely a bad idea for women to wear shorts or skirts above the knee, or for members of either sex to wear sleeveless T-shirts or very short shorts. Even ordinary T-shirts may be regarded as underwear, particularly in rural mountain areas. The best guide is to note how Moroccans dress locally.
When invited to a home, you normally take your shoes off before entering the reception rooms – follow your host’s lead. It is customary to take a gift: sweet pastries or tea and sugar are always acceptable, and you might even take meat (by arrangement – a chicken from the countryside for example, still alive of course) to a poorer home.
Tipping
You’re expected to tip – among others – waiters in cafés (1dh per person) and restaurants (5dh or so in moderate places, 10–15 percent in upmarket places); museum and monument curators (3–5dh); gardiens de voitures (5dh); filling station attendants (3–5dh); and porters who load your baggage onto buses (5dh). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but always appreciate one.
Mosques
Without a doubt, one of the major disappointments of travelling in Morocco if you are not Muslim is not being allowed into its mosques. The only exceptions are the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Elsewhere, if you are not a believer, you’ll have to be content with an occasional glimpse through open doors, and even in this you should be sensitive: people don’t seem to mind tourists peering into the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez (the country’s most important religious building), but in the country you should never approach a shrine too closely.
This rule applies equally to the numerous whitewashed koubbas – the tombs of marabouts, or local saints (usually domed: koubba actually means “dome”) – and the “monastic” zaouias of the various Sufi brotherhoods. It is a good idea, too, to avoid walking through graveyards, as these also are regarded as sacred places.
Women in Morocco
There is no doubt that, for women especially, travelling in Morocco is a very different experience from travelling in a Western country. One of the reasons for this is that the separate roles of the sexes are much more defined than they are in the West, and sexual mores much stricter. In villages and small towns, and even in the Medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is strictly the man’s domain. Most Moroccan men still expect to marry a virgin, and most women would never smoke a cigarette or drink in a bar, the general presumption being that only prostitutes do such things.
It should be said, however, that such ideas are gradually disappearing among the urban youth, and you will nowadays find some Moroccan women drinking in the more sophisticated bars, and even more often in cafés, which were, until quite recently, an all-male preserve. In the Villes Nouvelles of large cities, and especially in the Casa–Rabat–El Jadida area, and in Marrakesh, you’ll see most women without a veil or even a headscarf. You’ll also see young people of both sexes hanging out together, though you can be sure that opportunities for premarital sex are kept to a minimum. Even in traditional Moroccan societies, mountain Berber women, who do most of the hard work, play a much more open role in society, and rarely use a veil.
Sexual harassment
Different women seem to have vastly different experiences of sexual harassment in Morocco. Some travellers find it persistent and bothersome, while others have little or no trouble with it at all. Many women compare Morocco favourably with Spain and other parts of southern Europe, but there is no doubt that, in general, harassment of tourists here is more persistent than it is in northern Europe or the English-speaking world.
Harassment will usually consist of men trying to chat you up or even asking directly for sex, and it can be constant and sometimes intimidating. In part this is to do with Moroccan men’s misunderstanding of Western culture and sexual attitudes, and the fact that some think they can get away with taking liberties with tourists that no Moroccan woman would tolerate.
The obvious strategies for getting rid of unwanted attention are the same ones that you would use at home: appear confident and assured and you will avoid a lot of trouble. Making it clear that you have the same standards as your Moroccan counterparts will usually deter all but the most insistent of men. No Moroccan woman would tolerate being groped in the street for example, though they may often have to put up with catcalls and unwanted comments. Traditionally, Moroccan women are coy and aloof, and uninhibited friendliness – especially any kind of physical contact between sexes – may be seen as a come-on, so being polite but formal when talking to men will diminish the chances of misinterpretation. The negative side to this approach is that it can also make it harder for you to get to know people, but after you’ve been in the country for a while, you will probably develop a feel for the sort of men with whom this tactic is necessary. It is also wise not to smoke in public, as some men still seem to think this indicates that you are available for sex.
How you dress is another thing that may reduce harassment. Wearing “modest” clothes (long sleeves, long skirts, baggy rather than tight clothes) will give an impression of respectability. Wearing a headscarf to cover your hair and ears will give this impression even more. One reader told us she felt a headscarf was “the single most important item of dress”, adding that you can pull it over your face as a veil if unwanted male attention makes you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, Western liberals often forget that the purpose of wearing a veil is to protect women rather than to oppress them. However, you will notice that many Moroccan women totally ignore the traditional dress code, and do not suffer excessive harassment as a result. As for immodestly dressed women being taken for prostitutes, the fact is that actual sex workers in Morocco are often veiled from head to foot, as much to disguise their identities as anything else.
Other strategies to steer clear of trouble include avoiding eye contact, mentioning a husband who is nearby, and, if travelling with a boyfriend or just with a male friend, giving the impression that he is your husband. You should also avoid physical contact with Moroccan men, even in a manner that would not be considered sexual at home, since it could easily be misunderstood. If a Moroccan man touches you, on the other hand, he has definitely crossed the line, and you should not be afraid to make a scene. Shouting “Shooma!” (“Shame on you!”) is likely to result in bystanders intervening on your behalf, and a very uncomfortable situation for your assailant.
It is often said that women are second-class citizens in Islamic countries, though educated Muslim women are usually keen to point out that this is a misinterpretation of Islam. While sex equality has a long way to go in Morocco, in some ways, at least in theory, the sexes are not as unequal as they seem. Men traditionally rule in the street, which is their domain, the woman’s being the home. One result is that Moroccan women will receive their friends at home rather than meet them in, say, a café (although this is slowly changing) and this can make it difficult for you to get to know Moroccan women. One place where you can meet up with them is the hammam. It may also be that if you are travelling with a man, Moroccan men will address him rather than you – but this is in fact out of respect for you, not disrespect, and you will not be ignored if you join in the conversation. In any case, however interpreted, Islam most certainly does not condone sexual harassment, and nor do any respectable Moroccans. Being aware of that fact will make it seem a lot less threatening.
Verlaat het strand voor een paar uur en ga op ontdekkingstocht naar het fantastische erfgoed van Oujda. Cultuur, kunstnijverheid, monumenten, geniet op uw gemak van deze vreedzame stad.
Ontspanning en ontdekkingen
Strand van Saïdia
Maak een excursie naar Oujda, 60 km ten zuiden van Saïdia. Een perfect behouden gebleven schilderachtige medina met zijn souks waar u volop lokale kunstnijverheid vindt, en de fiere verdedigingswerken van de kashba. Een hartelijke plaats die u met open armen ontvangt.
Een boeiende geschiedenis
U bereikt de oude medina, aan de oostelijke kant, via een indrukwekkende ogivale poort met ter weerszijde een bastion, Bab Sidi Abdel Wahab. Volgens de legende werden de afgehakte hoofden van rebellen hier aan de bevolking getoond. Bab El Gharbi, een van de drie belangrijkste poorten van de medina, is van bescheidener afmetingen maar eveneens bijzonder mooi. Deze poort, aan de westkant van de medina, kleurt rood in de ondergaande zon. De veelbewogen geschiedenis van deze eeuwenoude stad zal u zeker boeien.
Een spirituele stop
Jachthaven
De grote moskee, uit het einde van de 13de eeuw, is het oudste monument van de medina. De drie fonteinen, langs de muren van de moskee, dragen bij tot een rustgevende sfeer die de godsdienstbeoefening ten goede komt. Via een straat rechts van de hoofdingang van de moskee komt u bij een meesterwerk van de 14de eeuwse architectuur, de merinidische medersa. Deze koranschool wordt beschouwd als het pronkstuk van Oujda.
Paleis en muziek
In 1938 heeft een rijke handelaar een prachtig paleis laten bouwen, Dar Sebti, dat te bezichtigen is. Er is nu een cultureel centrum gevestigd dat gewijd is aan de Arabisch-Andalusische muziek, de gharnatie muziek. Met een beetje geluk kunt u een schouwspel van traditionele zang en laalaoui dans bijwonen …
Te onthouden :
Saïdia is het ideale vertrekpunt voor een bezoek aan Oujda, een stad omgeven door imposante stadsmuren met prachtige poorten, met zijn souks, muziek en dans die een ontdekkingstocht zeker waard zijn.
Alcazarseguir es una localidad del litoral mediterráneo, entre Tánger y Ceuta, en la margen derecha del río del mismo nombre, en la región de Yebala, al noroeste de Marruecos. Administrativamente pertenece a la prefectura de Fahs Anjra de la región Tánger-Tetuán. Tiene una pobalción de 10.995 habitantes según el censo de 2004.1
La localidad se encuentra a pocos kilómetros del puerto Tánger-Med, que será el más grande de África una vez inaugurado a mediados de 2010.Localizada en el estrecho de Gibraltar, la población se remonta al inicio de la ocupación musulmana del Magreb, hacia el año 708. Difícilmente accesible por mar, durante el período almohade, fue un importante puerto de embarque de tropas para la Península Ibérica. Entretanto, en el siglo XV se convierte en un reducto de corsarios.
Con la expansión ultramarina portuguesa, fue asaltada y conquistada por una flota de 220 embarcaciones, transportando un ejército de 25.000 hombres al mando de D. Afonso V, «el Africano», tras dos días de combate en octubre de 1458.
Préparation de salade de pommes de terre aux champignons :
Pour préparer la recette de salade de pommes de terre aux champignons :
1 - Peler les pommes de terre, les faire cuire à la vapeur et les découper en rondelles.
2 - Dans une poêle, faire revenir dans la 1/2 de l'huile et du beurre, 2 oignons hachés, leur ajouter les champignons coupés en morceaux, les rondelles de pommes de terre, le sel et le poivre.
3 - Dans une autre poêle, faire fondre le reste d'huile et du beurre et y faire revenir le reste d'oignons hachés jusqu'à ce qu'ils deviennent dorés. Ajouter les tomates cerise et les épices. Laisser cuire à feu doux, pendant 5 mn tout en remuant.
4 - Dans un récipient, mélanger délicatement les 2 préparations.
5 - Disposer la salade sur un plat de service, la décorer de feuilles de persil
