Morocco Culture and Traditions The Best in 2024

In the north of the African continent lies the Kingdom of Morocco, which is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco, or in Arabic, Maghreb al-Aqsa, means “far west.”

Being so close to Europe, this country comprises cultures and traditions from many different places. You can explore Eastern culture in all shades, from Carthage, later conquered by the Romans, to the Spanish colonists. However, Morocco culture is unique, and it is overflowing with hundreds of bright colors, music, carnivals, and theatrical performances.

Today we will go behind the scenes of this mysterious land to consider the fascinating aspects of Morocco culture and traditions. Your adventure to the land of Saidi drum rhythms, sophisticated architecture, and honey sweets has already begun; it’s time to hit the road to Morocco tours!

Table of Contents

Authentic Dining

During the meal, there is a large dish with couscous – wheat porridge – with meat and vegetables placed in the middle of the table.

Spending Friday evenings eating couscous together with family, while discussing the latest news, is one of the common Morocco customs. Guests in a Moroccan house may be surprised by the lack of appliances. They prefer to eat with their hands, as they are considered cleaner.

Traditionally, food is taken only by the right hand, with three fingers. Bowls of water are prepared for washing hands before and after meals.

Moroccans never consume bread during meals as they take a respectful attitude to this important food. Three cups of tea are usually drunk in small sips.

The Muslim religion imposes a ban on drinking alcoholic beverages, so it is not acceptable to keep alcohol at home.

If you are a foodie, do not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the country’s traditional dishes. Our article about Traditional food in Morocco was created especially for you! In it, you will find many exciting things about Moroccan dishes and the subtleties of their presentation.

No cuddles, please

The inhabitants of Morocco do not accept tactile communication in public. It is not customary for them to hug and kiss when meeting. While persons of the same sex are allowed to initiate acquaintance with a symbolic triple kiss and a handshake at the first meeting, representatives of the opposite sex are never greeted in this manner.

When greeting people of different genders, it is common to nod to each other or occasionally shake hands. Kissing a woman’s hand, common in Western countries, can be perceived as an extreme degree of flirtation.

Guests are welcome!

Moroccans are very hospitable, regardless of economic status. A guest for a Moroccan is always an influential and respected person. He will be offered all the best that is in the house.

According to an ancient custom, dates and milk are presented to a special guest of honor.

This basic food of the nomads of the Sahara became Moroccan bread-salt. In addition, each guest will definitely be given green tea, which has become an integral part of their traditional mint tea, even jokingly called “Moroccan whiskey.”

It originated relatively recently, in the middle of the 19th century. Then, because of the Crimean War, British tea merchants began to lose the Slavic market.

Naturally, they had to find another place to sell their goods. The Moroccans took their tea with delight, as it made the taste of their traditional mint tea softer. Moroccan tea is served in small glass cups, often decorated with a picturesque pattern, on a silver or copper tray.

When the tea is poured into glasses, the kettle is raised as high as possible to form a persistent foam.

Mint tea is drunk at any time of the day, but usually after lunch. Sweets are served with tea. Moroccans like to say that tea should be bitter as death, sweet as life, and pleasant as love.

Decorative arts in Morocco and Morocco Culture

When planning a trip to Morocco, pay particular attention to Moroccan decorative arts. The stalls of Moroccan markets and shops are full of actual works of art filled with African motifs of local tribes mixed with symbols of the Arab world. However, the main pride of Morocco is carpets and fabrics.

Moroccan rugs come in two types – Rabat and Berber.

See our picks for the best vintage Moroccan kitchen utensils

A family tradition of carpet weaving goes back generations. This craft’s secrets were passed down from generation to generation through the female line.

Moroccan women, who do not have much freedom of action, put their feelings, experiences, and messages to their beloved into carpet drawings. A sign of a woman’s high status in Morocco is jewelry.

Usually, you can’t view the jewelry on the women, because they prefer to keep all decorations under their traditional Moroccan clothing. Jewelry is made mainly of silver.

Moroccan men are engaged in jewelry making, and this handicraft is part of family traditions. Secrets are passed from father to son.

Generally, you can divide jewelry into Spanish- Moorish and Berber styles. Berber style is characterized by more restrained colors and simple shapes with fancy ornaments.

On the other hand, the Spanish-Moorish style is famous for its openwork and the ability of the authors to fill the whole available space with ornaments.

It is also worth paying attention to Moroccan leather goods. Skin treatment, in this country, began to be practiced many centuries ago. However, the fundamental technologies have not changed.

The city of Fez is well-known as the capital of Moroccan leather production. The dressing and coloring of the skin are done manually.

Animal skins are soaked in special mixtures and solutions, dyed with natural dyes, washed in wooden containers, and dried and treated with a unique composition to soften the skin. Moroccan leather is one of the most delicate and soft in the world.

Amazing leather products are sewn from it: bags, belts, and purses are among the most prevalent crafts. In addition to high-quality leather, there are unusual embossing and ornaments on such products, made with a special press.