culture of morocco

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Mauritania Algeria Spain Portugal 摩洛哥的正式地图 Full official map of Morocco 摩洛哥王国驻华大使馆 Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco 办 公 处:三里屯路16号 Chancery : No. 16, San Li Tun Lu 电话(Tel):6532 1489/6532 1796 传真(Fax):6532 1453 电子邮件(E-mail):[email protected] 网址:www.moroccoembassy.cn Kingdom of Morocco A millennium culture MOROCCO

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Mauritania

Algeria

Spain

Portugal

摩洛哥的正式地图 Full official map of Morocco

摩洛哥王国驻华大使馆Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco

办 公 处:三里屯路16号Chancery : No. 16, San Li Tun Lu

电话(Tel):6532 1489/6532 1796传真(Fax):6532 1453

电子邮件(E-mail):[email protected] 网址:www.moroccoembassy.cn

Kingdom of Morocco A millennium culture

MOROCCO

Location: North Africa Motto: Akuc, Amur, Agllid God, Homeland, KingCapital: RabatLargest city: CasablancaOfficial language(s): Arabic and Tamazight Ethnic groups: 99% Arab-Amazigh 0.9% otherGovernment: Unitary parliamentary constitutional Monarchy• King Mohammed VI• Head of government: Abdelillah BenkiraneLegislature: Parliament* Upper house House of Representatives * Lower house House of Councillors Independence: March 2, 1956 Area: 710,850 km²Population: 32,650,000 Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD)Calling code: +212

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in North Africa. Morocco is a consti-tutional monarchy with an elected parliament and a chief of Government nominated from the Party which has got the majority of votes. The political capital of Morocco is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca; other major cities include Marrakech, Tetouan, Tangier, Salé, Laâyoune, Fès, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Dakhla, Kenitra, and Nador.

Morocco is a nation with a rich culture and civilization. It has always been a land of cultural exchanges and encounters given its strategically-located position between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, Eu-rope and Africa. Morocco hosted many people coming from these areas, all of them have had an im-

pact on the social and cultural structure of the country.

The richness of the Moroccan culture comes from the various civilizations that Morocco encountered trough different eras in its history. From the Byzantine civilization to the Roman influence to the Arab civilization, then the Spanish and French, Morocco is now a panorama of genuine values of tolerance and multiculturalism and gets its unity in its diversity.

The Kingdom is well known to be a center for interfaith dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews and today provides an arena for open dia-logue. The country is constantly offering innovating solutions to contempo-rary problems through progressive applications of Islamic principles.

Morocco is considered by some as an Arab-Berber country. Others insist on the Berber-African identity of Morocco. About 42% acknowledge a Ber-ber identity, though many more have Berber ancestry. Berbers are also by language but also by traditional customs and culture - such as the distinc-

tive music and dances. Berber language (Also called Amazigh) is not yet officially recognized in Mo-rocco, though French (the colonial language) is. Classical Arabic remains the only official language of Morocco and is used in limited socio-economic and cultural activities and written newspapers but it is never spoken between Moroccans.

His Majesty, Mohammed VI, The King of Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco, a millennium culture.Message of HE Mr, Jaafar Alj Hakim,

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to China

Morocco, a Kingdom of more than 12 centuries old, at a crossroad of civilizations, combines its own identity with openness and modernity and with a rich religious and cultural heritage.

Under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has entered a new era of reforms and activity. Today, Morocco is evolving with determination and ambition in the new international context of the 21st century.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Beijing, as part of an ongoing process of strengthening the friendly relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the People’s Republic of China, is, and has been, keen to present the richness of the Moroccan culture.

For this, there exist between Morocco and China since 1982 a bilateral agreement of Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Its tri-annual application program maps out different actions, including education, scientific research, cultural affairs, monuments, arts, information, communication, youth and sports as well as religious affairs. In addition, as part of the same agreement, conferences and workshops are being organized by the Embassy with view to promoting a better understanding of the different facets of the Moroccan culture.

There exist also a MOU between Universities from Morocco and China, by virtue of which the embassy is facilitating academic cooperation. Moreover, Confucius Institute opened in Morocco since 2009, with the support of the Mohammed V University in Rabat, and serves, besides its role of teaching the Chinese language to Moroccan students, as a bridge of exchange between the Moroccan and the Chinese cultures.

An even deeper connection is still possible between the two countries as their culture do share quite a few common characteristics. The similarities can be noticed, in this brochure, more particularly in architecture like in the magical atmospheres of the Moroccan old medinas’ winding streets which recall the Hutong in China, culinary art (sweet and soar dishes), music, clothing, jewelry, tea ceremonies and in connection with the warmth of people as well. Thirst of discovery is also common: just like the Chinese admiral, Zheng He, the voyages of the 14th century’s Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta led him till China where he traveled as far north as Hangzhou to experience and borrow almost everything he could about the Chinese culture.

In one word, Morocco is a beautiful and fascinating country. Whi le the At las and the Rif mountains offer a fr iendly environment surrounded by nature, in the Moroccan Sahara dunes and sky merge silently into infinity. You may have heard that the Kingdom brims over with contrast, color and exoticism; this is true and all you can do is simply catch your breath in wonder.

HE Mr, Jaafar Alj Hakim, Ambassador of the

Kingdom of Morocco to China

Leather working

The different types of copper (yellow, red etc...) is the speciality of Marrakshis and Fassis people who create unique forms out of this metal so that it can be used, at the same time, as invalu-able utensils and objects for decoration and ornamentation inside houses and public places (plates, and teapots, guedra, candle-sticks, weapons and other accessories).

Moroccan art pottery is characterized by a long ancestral practice. The regions which have always been considered as the principal centers of art pottery are: the northern regions of Jbala and Rif (red rural pottery), the cities of Fez and Meknes (refined pottery) and finally it is Safi, the current capital of pottery which have taken up the torch after transforming and enriching it (colors, forms, patterns etc... ".

Because it is a typically Moroccan art and knowledge universally recognized as such that this activity, as its name indicates, identifies with its native country which is Morocco. Tannery, dressing, coloring and shaping are mastered by Moroccan craftsmen who have learnt them since immemorial times. The proof is the fact that Moroccan leather working is notorious everywhere in the world. Various products are produced including: chekkaras, Belgha (slippers), skins, belts, shoes, wind-breakers, trousers, jackets, bags, towels, document-cases (le Maroquin), wallets, etc.

Over the centuries, however, the carpets have evolved the aesthetic criteria of the country with definite oriental inspiration. The oldest examples come from the 18th century, and these are the only Moroccan carpets where the pattern is diametrically different to those of other countries.

Moroccan carpets have become the carpets of choice for many interior designers as well as private consumers. They are most notable for their dynamic colorful modernist designs as well as for their strong sense of geometric structure. Most carpets from Morocco are hand crafted by skilled weavers who have been crafting these masterpieces through the generations. Among the famous Moroccan carpets, we can cite Amazigh carpet from the Atlas Mountains and Taznakht.

Brassware

Pottery

Carpets

Universally known to be one of the rare cuisines which knew how to preserve the authenticity of dishes and recipes, the Moroccan cuisine, having existed for more than 2000 years, includes sweet and salty food cooked in three ways: Tagine Mkalli (fried), Tagine Mhammar (roast) , Tagine Chicken Olive, Méchoui (barbecued), etc. Among the main dishes are Couscous and Pastilla.

A land of cultural and artistic meetings, Morocco offers its know-how to any kind of human creation which it regularly celebrates, during the year, festivals dedicated to the various modes of expression. Among the famous festivals: Sacred Music Festival of Fès, Folk Music Festival of Marrakech, Gnaoua Festival of Essaouira, Marital Festival of Imilchil, Tan-Tan Festival of Nomads, etc.

Working noble metals (goldsmithery, chiselling, setting) is the exclusive speciality of the Fassis (people of Fez) and soussis (people of The Souss region), as well as the Moroccan Jews, craftsmen concerning the design and production of refined top-quality objects (bracelets, belts, diadems, rings, pendants, Kholkhals, earrings etc...).

The tradit ional dress for men and women is called djellaba : a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a burgundy or white cap called a bernousse, more commonly referred to as a Fez. Women wear kaftans decorated with ornaments. Nearly all men, and most women, wear balgha soft leather slippers with no heel, often dyed yellow. Women also wear high-heeled sandals, often with silver or gold tinsel.The distinction between a djellaba and a kaftan is that the djellaba has a hood, while a kaftan does not.

Most women’s djellabas are brightly colored and have ornate patterns, stitching, or beading, while men's djellabas are usually plainer and colored neutrally. Women are strongly attached to their "Moroccan wardrobe," despite the financial costs involved; the production of such garments is relatively expensive, as most of the work is done by hand, yet most women purchase a minimum of one new kaftan or takchita every year, normally for a special social event, such as a religious festival or a wedding ceremony.

Gastronomy

Festivals

Jewellery

Clothes

旅游

Tourism in Morocco is well developed, with a strong tourist industry focused on the country 's coast, cul ture, and history. Morocco has been one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa, Tourism is increasingly focused on Morocco's culture, such as its ancient cities like Fès, Meknes, Marrakech, Rabat, etc. The modern tourist industry capitalizes on Morocco's ancient Roman and Islamic sites, and on its landscape and cultural history. 60% of Morocco's tourists visit for its culture and heritage. The country's attractions can be divided into seven regions: Tangier and the surrounding area; Agadir and its beach resorts; Marrakech and its monuments and places; Casablanca and its famous buildings; the Imperial cities; Ouarzazate – Hollywood of Morocco; Tarfaya and its beach resorts, the Sahara desert ,

The Sahara Marathon (Marathon des Sables) is a six-day, 251 km (156 mi) ultramarathon, which is the equivalent of six regular marathons. This multiday race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara desert. It is considered the toughest foot race on Earth. The first event of the Marathon started in 1986.

The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is a rally which is held in the deserted parts of southern Morocco. The distinctive feature of the rally is that participation is restricted to women only. In 2009, the 20th edition of the rally took place between18 and 26 March, with the participation of 119 teams of women in the three categories: Quad/Motorbike, 4WD/Truck and Crossover. The rally started in Mekneswith the finish-line in Essaouiraon the Atlantic coast in southern Morocco.

The active side of the sea!Surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, diving…Thanks to its exceptional conditions and its two coasts, Morocco is the dream destination for all water sports.

The Oriental Desert Express For an unusual journey through magnificent desert landscapes, take the “Oriental Desert Express”!

Southern passionYou have to have done it once in your life. Either as part of a comfortable organized tour, or more energetically in a 4X4, on foot or by camel.

TourismMorocco’s golf coursesEnjoy the pleasures of golf throughout Morocco, whatever your lev-el of skills is, in fairways overlooking the sea, or in the greens at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Life-size MoroccoMountains, deserts, oases or beaches… In Morocco, nature is eve-rywhere. There are also many nature reserves and parks.

Land of hikersFrom the sands of the Sahara to the Atlas mountains, Morocco of-fers an infinite variety of landscapes. An ideal playing field and one very much appreciated by cross-country hikers, riders and skiers.

Ibn BattutaIbn Baṭuṭa, 1925 – 1954, was a Moroccan explorer, known for his extensive travels. Over a period of thirty years, he visited most of the known Islamic world as well as many non-Muslim lands; his journeys including trips to North Africa, the Horn of Af-rica, West Africa, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe in the West, and to the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, South-east Asia and China, a distance surpassing threefold his near-contemporary Marco Polo. He journeyed more than 75,000 miles (121,000 km), a figure unsurpassed by any individual ex-plorer until the coming of the Steam Age some 450 years later. After seven years in India, the sultan appointed the traveler as ambassador to China by which he was greatly impressed: “China is the safest, best regulated of countries for a traveler.

A man may go by himself on a nine-month journey, carrying with him a large sum of money, without any fear. Silk is used for clothing even by poor monks and beggars. Its porcelains are the finest of all makes of pottery and its hens are bigger than geese in our country.”, sys Ibn Battuta in his book “Rihla”.Ibn Battuta's travels were extraordinary for the distance that he covered and the fact that he traveled independently as a tourist.

In the years following Ibn Battuta, a very different voyage of discov-ery was in the planning starting from the Chinese end of the Indian Ocean. This voyage was led by the Chinese admiral, Zheng He.Although Battuta is never mentioned in geography books, his contribution to geography is unquestionably as great as that of any geographer yet the accounts of his trav-els are not eas i ly access ib le except to the spec ia l is t .

         办 公 处:三里屯路16号

Chancery:No. 16, San Li Tun Lu电话(Tel):6532 1489 6532 1796

传真(Fax):6532 1453电子邮件(E-mail):

[email protected]网址:www.moroccoembassy.cn

摩洛哥王国驻华大使馆Embassy of the

Kingdom of Morocco