Less than 50 years after the death of Muhammad in 632, Islam, along with the rule of the Umayyad Dynasty, had spread across North Africa to Morocco. Many local Berbers converted to Islam, setting the stage for the invasion of Spain in 711. Idris Ibn Abd Allah founded the first Moroccan state in 789, and it was to Morocco that many Muslim immigrants fled in 1492, in order to escape the Spanish Inquisition.
Given its strategic location and wealth of resources, Morocco was disputed fought for by European powers for centuries. England, France, Portugal, and Spain all entered the fray. Under the 1912 Treaty of Fez, France laid claim to the majority of Moroccan land, though the Spanish were given the northernmost part, along with the southern Sahara.
Morocco's nationalist movement began in 1944 with the founding of the Independence Party, Istiqial, which by 1947 had gained the support of the Moroccan sultan, Mohammad V. Though initially deported by the French, on November 18, 1955, Mohammad V was restored to his royal status. Morocco gained its independence from France and Spain the following year.
Today, Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, in which the king and his advisors make most important decisions. Under the current king, Mohammad VI, Morocco has undergone much modernization. For example, the new family code adopted in 2004, the Mudawana, aims to give women more power by equalizing laws on divorce, custody, and consent. Despite such efforts, Morocco still struggles with deeply entrenched social problems, including illiteracy and high infant mortality. When it comes to foreign travel, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were not exactly a boon to the Moroccan tourist market. While travelers to Morocco do not face a particularly elevated risk, given the unpredictable nature of terrorism, travel to the Western Sahara region is restricted.
Modest clothing for both men and women is highly recommended, especially in rural areas. Even properly dressed non-Muslims are barred from entering many of Morocco's active mosques. Taboo topics to avoid in conversation with Moroccans include sex, Israel and Palestine, the royal family, and the Western Sahara.
Tourists in larger areas are susceptible to the advances of Moroccans offering to guide them. If you refuse, be polite but insistent. Western women tend to attract attention from Moroccan men. In general, the best way to react is not at all. Toning down public visibility is always smart.
A traditional Moroccan meal begins with hand washing. Dinner may be served from a communal dish at a low, round table. Avoid directly using your left hand when eating, as this hand is traditionally reserved for personal hygiene. In more personal settings, such as in a Moroccan home, vocally praising the food is important.
From decadent sweets to succulent meats, opportunities for epicurean adventurers in Morocco abound. Upon entering the country, you can banish “bland” from your culinary vocabulary – Moroccan cuisine incorporates a wealth of spices; turmeric, cumin, coriander, and saffron just scratch the surface of the aromatic delights to be found. The most widely known staple of Moroccan fare is couscous, a semolina-grain pasta, roughly the size of sesame seeds. While couscous is usually served with either beef or lamb, a great vegetarian option is couscous aux légumes (couscous with vegetables). Other popular dishes include tajine, a meat stew with vegetables and olives, harira, a chickpea soup, and pastilla, a sweet and savory meat pie comprised of pigeon or chicken, onions, almonds, eggs, butter, cinnamon, and sugar. If these options leave you looking for something slightly more, shall we say, unfamiliar, than sheep's eyes might be right up your ally. While the eye of the sheep is originally an Arabian delicacy, rest assured, cooked sheep's eye can be part of your Moroccan adventure. A more conventional sheep-based specialty is mechoui, lamb spitted over an open fire. Typical snacks and on-the-go eats include roasted almonds, dried chickpeas, and cactus buds.
In the realm of desserts, fresh seasonal fruits are a typical concluding treat for a meal. This is not to say Morocco suffers from a lack of baked goods. To the contrary, sweet-lovers will find themselves amidst honey-soaked pastries, including halwa shebakia, a fried, honey-infused sesame cookie. A perfect accompaniment to such treats is a cup of Moroccan mint tea, or green tea steeped in mint leaves and saturated with sugar. Those looking for something slightly stronger need not fear the Islamic prohibition against alcohol: Moroccan, French, and Spanish wines can be found in supermarkets and restaurants.
Looking for the perfect Moroccan memento to commemorate your trip? From ceramics to woodwork, Morocco offers an abundance of cultural crafts. Known for its luxurious carpets, Morocco also has a long tradition in the leather industry; to this day leather tanners throughout the country continue to use medieval techniques. According to local legend, tanners are descended from demons whose spirits inhabit the tanneries. Even without the omnipresence of demons, tannery work can be quite unpleasant. In the process of creating salable leather, the hides are softened in pigeon droppings and later immersed in vats of water and blood. From start to finish, the tanning process takes around twenty days. Other traditional crafts include the colorful glazed tiles that make up a zellij, or mosaic. Often mosaics will incorporate calligraphy, particularly elegant illuminations of Qur'anic verses that meld religion with high art. Islamic mosaics portray rich geometric designs rather than people, animals, or plants. Moroccan souqs (markets) are brimming with local handicrafts. Bargaining is a serious business approached with vigor; a reasonable final price should be about 50% of your seller's original quote. If you hit a standstill, don't be afraid to simply walk out the door—the owner just may chase after you with a better offer.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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