The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is for
most travelers a world away from their own cities and towns. The
culture and people are usually so completely different from what
they know that they often find themselves in situations to which
they have no idea how to react. The following brief explanation of
Moroccan art and culture is designed to help you get the most out
of your stay in this amazing country. The art of this country is
truly special. Many historical examples are on display at the local
museums. More modern examples are on display at art galleries and
in souks. Beware of cheap imitations though! There are so many
different ways that the people express themselves - in carpets,
clothing, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, and
calligraphy. They even hold an international art festival once a
year to showcase all their talent. If you ever have the opportunity
to visit this country, you should consider buying some of the local
artwork. Not only will it provide you with a little memento of your
trip, but it will help out the local people who are usually quite
poor. Souks are a way of life in Morocco and you usually wont have
to go far to find one. You can often get good bargains here, but
remember that most Moroccans will have a lot more experience than
you will when it comes to haggling the price so you will seldom
find yourself able to get better than that which is offered. You
may find, if you are friendly and courteous enough, that you will
soon start to make friends with the locals. If this happens and you
are invited to a meal, it is good to keep in mind some of the local
customs. For example, you will usually take off your shoes when
entering a house. You can follow your host's example in this
regard. Also it is a good idea to take a gift of some sort with. If
you are in a home in the city you might take some pastries or some
sugar with you. If you are in the county it would be better to buy
a live chicken for the household which is likely to not be quite so
well off. A home invitation is perhaps the most authentic way to
sample Moroccan dishes. Most Moroccan food is eaten with the hands.
If you are invited to join someone for a meal, you should always
eat with the right hand as the left is supposed to be used for the
toilet. Any plans to visit mosques will usually meet with failure
as these are considered to be very holy places that only Muslims
are allowed access to. Though this is allowed in other parts of the
world, the closest you will likely get to the inside of a mosque in
Morocco is if you visit some ruins or disused mosques such as Tin
Mal and Smara. Most other monuments are on view to the public for a
price and you can also observe certain celebrations such as the
Imichal wedding Fair. When taking photographs of the local people,
it would be wisest to ask their permission. Taking a photograph of
someone with out their permission - especially in rural areas - can
cause offense. This may result in them demanding money from you -
even if you only intended to take a scenic shot of something. In
contrast, taking photographs of someone you have become friendly
with is usually very welcome. Often people with whom you've become
acquainted will take you to a place where they can get a photograph
taken with you for themselves. You should not be unfriendly about
this as it usually does not result in you paying for the picture or
any further harassment. Traditionally the men take to the streets
and the women are in control of their homes. This means that you
The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is for most
travelers a world away from their own cities and towns. The culture
and people are usually so completely different from what they know
that they often find themselves in situations to which they have no
idea how to react. The following brief explanation of Moroccan art
and culture is designed to help you get the most out of your stay
in this amazing country. The art of this country is truly special.
Many historical examples are on display at the local museums. More
modern examples are on display at art galleries and in souks.
Beware of cheap imitations though! There are so many different ways
that the people express themselves - in carpets, clothing, jewelry,
ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving, and calligraphy. They even
hold an international art festival once a year to showcase all
their talent. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this
country, you should consider buying some of the local artwork. Not
only will it provide you with a little memento of your trip, but it
will help out the local people who are usually quite poor. Souks
are a way of life in Morocco and you usually wont have to go far to
find one. You can often get good bargains here, but remember that
most Moroccans will have a lot more experience than you will when
it comes to haggling the price so you will seldom find yourself
able to get better than that which is offered. You may find, if you
are friendly and courteous enough, that you will soon start to make
friends with the locals. If this happens and you are invited to a
meal, it is good to keep in mind some of the local customs. For
example, you will usually take off your shoes when entering a
house. You can follow your host's example in this regard. Also it
is a good idea to take a gift of some sort with. If you are in a
home in the city you might take some pastries or some sugar with
you. If you are in the county it would be better to buy a live
chicken for the household which is likely to not be quite so well
off. A home invitation is perhaps the most authentic way to sample
Moroccan dishes. Most Moroccan food is eaten with the hands. If you
are invited to join someone for a meal, you should always eat with
the right hand as the left is supposed to be used for the toilet.
Any plans to visit mosques will usually meet with failure as these
are considered to be very holy places that only Muslims are allowed
access to. Though this is allowed in other parts of the world, the
closest you will likely get to the inside of a mosque in Morocco is
if you visit some ruins or disused mosques such as Tin Mal and
Smara. Most other monuments are on view to the public for a price
and you can also observe certain celebrations such as the Imichal
wedding Fair. When taking photographs of the local people, it would
be wisest to ask their permission. Taking a photograph of someone
with out their permission - especially in rural areas - can cause
offense. This may result in them demanding money from you - even if
you only intended to take a scenic shot of something. In contrast,
taking photographs of someone you have become friendly with is
usually very welcome. Often people with whom you've become
acquainted will take you to a place where they can get a photograph
taken with you for themselves. You should not be unfriendly about
this as it usually does not result in you paying for the picture or
any further harassment. Traditionally the men take to the streets
and the women are in control of their homes. This means that you
will not often find woman in cafés or restaurants. If you are a
woman and you strike up a friendship, you will likely be invited to
the person's home or to a hamman (bath) for further association. On
the other hand, if you are a man or a man and woman traveling
together, you will likely be invited into a café for some tea or a
meal. In general, Moroccan culture can be an exiting and worldly
experience. The people are friendly and the place is colorful.
Hospitality is really a part of their culture so you can strike up
friendships virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude.
Usually this results in further association with these dynamic and
interesting people and a real taste of Moroccan life. will not
often find woman in cafés or restaurants. If you are a woman and
you strike up a friendship, you will likely be invited to the
person's home or to a hamman (bath) for further association. On the
other hand, if you are a man or a man and woman traveling together,
you will likely be invited into a café for some tea or a meal. In
general, Moroccan culture can be an exiting and worldly experience.
The people are friendly and the place is colorful. Hospitality is
really a part of their culture so you can strike up friendships
virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude. Usually this
results in further association with these dynamic and interesting
people and a real taste of Moroccan life.