Morocco Project

Dress

M/F Interaction

Daily Life Practice Beliefs Customs

Celebrations Dates Where to go Places to stay

Men: Djellabas (Light, Big robe with hood), Fezes, Babouches (Aladdin slippers); Women: More flashy Djellabs, or Kaftans (which are the same except without a hood): Babouches or sandals with heels Men are dominant; female independence is actually laughed at. Morocco can be dangerous for unescorted women. Much like 1950’s American life; sports, cafes, centers on home and family. Islam; however, not very strictly observed Faith in : Allah, his angels, his prophets (esp. mohammed), his books, and in life after death Follow five pillars of faith; No alcohol, no pork; Men must cover from navel down; women, nothing but eyes and hands may show; no sex out of wedlock ‘Id al-Fitr & ‘Id al-Adha Independence Day, King’s Birthday Marrakech Agadir Essaouira Le Meridien N'Fis in Marrakech The Sofitel in Agadir Riad Zina in Marrakech

Sites to see Costs

Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech, The Sa'adian Tombs, Early Moroccan Dynasty

Common herbs/Spices Influences Menu Soup Menu Appetizer Menu Meal Menu Dessert

Harira tagine B’stillah Malawi

Dress The most traditional clothing in Morocco is a djellaba. Djellabas are loose fitting garments that you  put over whatever you are wearing, and serve well to hide your figure. There are djellabas for both men  and women, however, women more commonly wear them. Morocco ’s traditional clothing also  includes kaftans, which are usually worn for weddings and celebrations. The difference between a  djellaba and a kaftan is that kaftans do not have a hood, and they are often fancier. However, dress  codes are really varied in Morocco . While some are expected to fully cover up with a djellaba and  head covering, others walk around in t­shirts and tight jeans. Factors include marital status, age, family  and location. Dress for men is a little easier; however, they are rarely seen wearing shorts.

Religion Islam

Women Travellers: Women need to be aware that they may be the target of many comments and even stares, especially  when travelling alone. In these situations it is best to remain calm and completely ignore the  comments. Otherwise, it is fairly safe to walk around crowded areas, but still best to avoid walking in  deserted areas or walking alone at  night.

Etiquette: Moroccans are wonderfully friendly, and you will often be greeted with a kiss on both cheeks. The  closer you are, the more kisses you’ll get. You may even get your hand held as you walk. Don’t worry­  it’s normal. If you make some new friends, you will likely get some invitations into homes. You will know the  genuineness of the invitation by the third time it is offered. When you enter the home, make an attempt  to greet every person in the house. For women this often takes the form of kissing other women on the 

cheeks; men usually shake hands. Take your shoes off before stepping onto a rug, and try to avoid  staying alone in a room of the opposite sex as this can be interpreted incorrectly. If you are served with food, you will be constantly encouraged to keep eating. It is usually a good idea  to start slowing down a little while before you actually get full. You do not have to keep eating just  because they say so, though. Food is usually served on a big plate in the middle of the table. When you  are eating, it is helpful to imagine a pie and eat the slice in front of you. It is generally considered rude  to reach into someone else’s section, unless it is for the purpose of passing food to someone else. It is  also good to keep in mind that meat is more expensive and is considered the best part of the meal. The  meat will often be at the centre of the plate, but while your hosts will likely keep offering you meat, it  is good to pace yourself. It is also generally polite to avoid the meat until you see someone else eating  it. Another helpful hint to keep in mind is to avoid the use of you left hand when eating or handling  any kind of food.

Food ___________________________ The flavourful cooking of Morocco enjoys a tradition of cuisine rich in spices. Women in the royal cities of Morocco have made cooking an art and a centre of social and community life. Moroccans will be quick to point out that the food found in homes is much better than that available in restaurants. Hosting here also far outshines many parts of the world. A meal would often start with a vast array of delicious dipping salads, from eggplant to green pepper to tomato and onion based salads. This is accompanied by a mouth-watering tagine, a stew type dish characterized by meat, chicken or fish covered by any number of vegetables, sitting in a flavourful spicy sauce. This is eaten by dipping bread, and the visitor will find this an absolutely delightful culinary experience. Then, just as you are feeling thoroughly stuffed, Moroccans like to display their hospitality and surprise you with another full meal, just as irresistible as the first. The meal ends with a selection of fresh fruit, to “pass it down”. With constant encouragements to keep eating, that are considered polite in this culture, the guest is guaranteed to leave without needing a meal for another week. In addition to tagine, some other traditional meals include couscous and basteeya. Couscous is steamed semolina grains, traditionally covered with seven vegetables (often onions, pumpkin, zucchini, turnips, chili peppers, carrots and tomatoes) and, once again, a yummy sauce. This is traditionally served on Fridays and usually eaten either with spoons or hands. Basteeya is a triple layer sweet and savoury pastry, with shredded chicken, eggs, lemony onion sauce, and sweetened almonds enclosed in tissue-thin pastry, and sprinkled with a layer of sugar and cinnamon. This type of main meal is often served at lunch (around 2 or 2:30pm ). A nice meal for dinner (anywhere from 8pm to midnight ) is the traditional soup harira. This tomato-based soup is filled with chickpeas and lentils, but it is the incredible blend of herbs and spices that make it so addictive. Harira is also the traditional soup to break

the fast each day during the Muslim month of Ramadan. This is often accompanied by other Moroccan treats such as Malawi , harsha, bissara, and dates to name a few. Moroccan mint tea is another sweet treat to enjoy as you sample all the great tastes offered in front of you. http://www.thetravelsource.net/TravelInfoPages/fastfacts.html