Morocco

Moroccan Culture

Morocco is about the size of the state of California, located on the northwest corner of Africa. Home to lively medinas, the vast Sahara, and rocky mountains, Morocco offers great beauty at every turn. Moroccan culture is closely connected to Islam, and contains a combination of Arab, European, and African influences. When people experience good or back luck, Moroccans tend to attribute the cause to God (Allah). Moroccans typically value family, honor, and a calm disposition. The ability to control one’s temper is respected in Moroccan culture.

Host a Moroccan student in the U.S.

Family Dynamic

In Moroccan culture, family relationships are the most important component of social life. In particular, the bond between parents and children is revered. It is considered polite to show respect for parents and elders. In Morocco, extended family members typically live together. Families in Morocco tend to be headed by the father. A mother’s responsibilities are traditionally domestic, managing the home and caring for the children. Some women work outside the home and help provide financially for the family.

Teenage Life in Morocco

Teenagers often help their parents around the house. Boys typically are in charge of outside errands while girls help their mothers with domestic duties.

Moroccan teenagers socialize through school, work, and in their neighborhoods. Dating is not socially acceptable. Some popular activities include walking in the evening with friends, going in cafés, playing sports, and discussing politics.

Children often live with their family until marriage, even after graduating from high school and achieving a career. Even if children do decide to live separately from their parents, married children continue to have close contact with them.

Holidays in Morocco

Official Language

The official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Tamazight (a Berber dialect).

Communication Styles

Moroccans have an indirect style of communication. Hand gestures and facial expressions are commonly used when words cannot properly sum up someone’s meaning. To avoid confrontation, criticism is rarely expressed directly. This is partly due to the fact that personal honor is important in Moroccan culture. It is key to avoid shame, so people may be quick to say or do things publicly to avoid awkwardness or embarrassment. Maintaining eye contact during conversation is a sign of respect and agreement, whereas breaking eye contact might convey that one does not agree what what’s being said.

Moroccan Diet

In the Moroccan diet, mutton, beef, and chicken are the most commonly eaten meats. Popular dishes include kefta, ground beef or mutton; tajine, a meat-and-vegetable stew; and harira, a tomato-based soup with chickpeas, lentils, and beef or mutton. In Morocco, bread is eaten at almost every meal. Mint tea is Morocco’s national drink. Islam forbids the consumption of pork and alcohol.

Ancient cities and vast deserts