Kathryn Watts reporting worldwide.
ARTICLE 6
Art, Music and Social Etiquette of the Moroccan People
On my travels in Morocco I found that the centre of all Moroccan music and
theatre was the Place Djemma-el-Fna in the main square of Marrakesh, where all
the action took place. Music appears to be an important part of Moroccan life. It
also has a special significance as a form of storytelling, which is passed down
through the generations. An oral tradition, as well as serving as a form of
livelihood to these people.
It is used in celebrations in much the same way as we do.
Moroccan weddings are colourful and noisy with much partying.
Marriage for Moroccan women is of great importance and in
the rural areas especially, is still often arranged. A newborn
child also has a ceremony after a week. His or her head is
showered and an animal is sacrificed. The calls of prayer are
the first words that a new born baby will hear.
Many traditional Moroccan instruments are still used although
Western music appears to be popular in the night-clubs as it
was in Vietnam and Zambia. In my quest to buy a drum I was invited to drink mint
tea with a Moroccan lad who made them. An interesting afternoon was spent
learning about the differences and qualities in drums as well as being given several
shows for the different sounds.
I learnt that a "darbukas" was a generic term for a
form of drum that was well known throughout the
Arab world. It was most often made of terracotta
in the shape of a jug that had goatskin covering it
on one side. The "tebilat" is another form of drum
that has two differently shaped drums attached
together with leather lacing and then covered in
skin. A traditional Berber instrument is the "amzhad", a single chord violin which is
made of wood and goatskin and which is played using a horsehair bow.
The Islamic customs should be respected by foreigners, as should other countries'
customs. A high degree of modesty is expected, and offence taken if a lot of flesh
is showing. Muslims are prohibited to eat pork, to drink alcohol, and to take part in
gambling, fraud, and slander.
In Morocco, much as in Singapore, the family is the most important part of life,
coming before work and often even before marriage. Seeing a female traveller on
her own is of much surprise to Moroccan people, as the Moroccan women do not
even go to the souq without being accompanied.
I was often invited by Moroccan people to join them in drinking tea and was
actually lucky enough to be asked to dine with them. People's openness and warmth
was so appreciated by someone like me from a Western country where such
behaviour is rarely seen. I removed my shoes and shook everyone's hand. Physical
interaction including hugging, kissing and the holding of hands between men is
merely a part of life there.
Before we sat down to dinner around a knee-high table, water from a kettle was
poured over each person's hands in turn, much like what I had experienced in
traditional African food places. The food was eaten with the hands, something I
also remember having experienced in Java, even where the dish was full of juices.
The food was delicious and so much of it. The first course consisted of baked
bread and salad, followed by tajine and couscous. I found out that the eating of
camel and goat was a rare luxury. I learnt on my travels that the use of the left
hand was frowned upon especially in activities such as eating and touching children
on the head, as the left hand is considered for the use of personal hygiene.
In public life there is much segregation, and private space given to both women
and men, with places such as the public baths, cemetery on Friday and on the flat
roofs of the Medina being set aside for the women. The men reside around the
cafes, in the streets, bars and the cinemas. Women's role is still considered to be
at home - it was only in 1972 that the women of Morocco won the right to vote.
The first women in Parliament were elected as late as 1993, and women are still
considered to be inferior in many ways. Changes are occurring with equal
opportunities in working conditions, but many still remain in low status jobs and
experience much social prejudice against them compared with Western women.
............................... Kathryn Watts
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