The souk, or market, is a characteristic feature of Moroccan life. It is a place for buying and selling which should not be missed. Since the majority of the Moroccan population is rural, each tribe has a certain number of souks that are usually held out in the open country or in an enclosure reserved for the purpose. Tents are erected very early in the morning, and they are filled with brightly-colored clothes, burnouses and jellabas, embroidered gowns, baboosh slippers, or tea, spices and strange, rustic products.
Archaeological Museum 23, rue Brihi:
Built in 1932 and enlarged a few years later to display the finds resulting from intense archaeological research, this museum has housed the National Museum collections since 1986 and is one of the richest in Morocco. The prehistoric section brings together human remains from the middle Paleolithic period to the Neolithic, illustrating the continuity and size of the population at this time.
The Islamic archaeology section is constantly growing with finds coming from excavations of 8th and 9th century sites. Mauritanian potters, herdsmen, surgeons and bakers left a legacy of their tools while their womenfolk have left their exotic jewelry.
Pre-Roman and Roman civilizations are well represented by some of the finest pieces to have survived from those periods. There is also an exceptional collection of Hellenistic style bronzes.
Built in 1932 and enlarged a few years later to display the finds resulting from intense archaeological research, this museum has housed the National Museum collections since 1986 and is one of the richest in Morocco. The prehistoric section brings together human remains from the middle Paleolithic period to the Neolithic, illustrating the continuity and size of the population at this time.
The Islamic archaeology section is constantly growing with finds coming from excavations of 8th and 9th century sites. Mauritanian potters, herdsmen, surgeons and bakers left a legacy of their tools while their womenfolk have left their exotic jewelry.
Pre-Roman and Roman civilizations are well represented by some of the finest pieces to have survived from those periods. There is also an exceptional collection of Hellenistic style bronzes.
Morocco is teeming with discotheques, restaurants and nightclubs, often complete with belly dancing display. There are modern nightclubs in all the cities and resorts around the country. There are casinos in Marrakech and Mohammedia. Traditional Moroccan entertainment, such as folk dancing, can be seen in every town. Bars can have either waiter or counter service, and laws on alcohol are fairly liberal (for non-Muslim visitors) so that bars in most tourist areas stay open late. Wines, beers and spirits are widely available. Locally produced wines, beers and mineral waters are excellent and good value, but imported drinks tend to be expensive.
At nightfall, you will discover a world that is fantastically exciting. There are several varieties of revue clubs, nightclubs and discos.
At nightfall, you will discover a world that is fantastically exciting. There are several varieties of revue clubs, nightclubs and discos.
Soccer in Morocco can be traced to several centuries ago, when the sport was first introduced into the region by French Colonists. Some of the clubs there became the centers for anti-colonial sentiment. Morocco was the first African country to play in the World Cup in 1970. However, the team was absent from World Cup finals play until 1986, when the tournament was held in Mexico. The Moroccan squad reached the quarterfinals in 1986, with their astounding victories paving the way for African football clubs to come. Two tournaments later, Morocco qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, beating Zambia 1-0 on October 10, 1993, in Casablanca.
Visit the boisterous country souks found throughout Morocco. The bustling souks are a sight to behold, offering an authentic taste of the local sights, sounds, and scents of Morocco. All day, products are bought and sold or bartered, with lots of haggling and bargaining punctuated by all kind of cries. In the crowd, are story-tellers, talisman-markers, and fortune tellers. Besides being able to mingle with Moroccan peasants, the tourist sees, firsthand, the daily lifestyle of the Moroccan populace. Often, the souk offers the opportunity to acquire handicraft souvenirs at very reasonable prices.
The use of the flag in Morocco as a symbol of the state dates way back to the Almoravide dynasty (1062-1125 ad). Prior to this time, white silk banners were often carried in battle, sometimes with Koranic inscriptions written on them.
The Almoravides institutionalized this practice. They gave one banner to every unit of 100 soldiers; the leaders always carried one inscribed: "There is no god but god, and Mohammad is His Prophet."
The two following dynasties (the Merinides and the Saadiens) continued the use of the white flag as the symbol of the state. The Alaouites, the ruling dynasty and the ancestors of his Majesty King Hassan II, were the first to introduce the red flag, in the 17th century. It was raised every morning and lowered every evening on the fortresses at Rabat and Sale.
The green Sulayman star on the flag was introduced in 1912, when Morocco was put under the French protectorate, in order to distinguish the nation's flag from the others.
The Almoravides institutionalized this practice. They gave one banner to every unit of 100 soldiers; the leaders always carried one inscribed: "There is no god but god, and Mohammad is His Prophet."
The two following dynasties (the Merinides and the Saadiens) continued the use of the white flag as the symbol of the state. The Alaouites, the ruling dynasty and the ancestors of his Majesty King Hassan II, were the first to introduce the red flag, in the 17th century. It was raised every morning and lowered every evening on the fortresses at Rabat and Sale.
The green Sulayman star on the flag was introduced in 1912, when Morocco was put under the French protectorate, in order to distinguish the nation's flag from the others.
Journey Through Morocco, Land of the Furthest West witnessed exotic mediaeval acrobats, wondering tribesmen, snake-charmers, magicians, etc in the central square of the ancient city of Marrakech, explored the surreal desert kashbahs of the Dades Gorges and Ouzarzate, camel-trekked through the gigantic sand dunes of the Sahara during a sandstorm almost froze to death on overnight bus across the snowing Middle Atlas Mountains, got lost in the ancient alleys of Fes' Medina, found himself in the almost Tuscany-like olive groves of Volubilis, turned down invitations to "drug fiestas" by drug pushers and hippies in Chefchaouen aka Marijuana Country Africa, and had theological discussions under the shadows of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca with "born-again" Islamic fundamentalists -Tan Wee Cheng
