Travel Guide: Morocco

The People of Morocco

As a vast simplification, there are three distinct groups in Morocco; Moslem Moroccans, Jewish Moroccans and foreigners. Of the Moslems, the Berbers are the earliest inhabitants of the country and little is known about their origins, other than that they came from Iberia. The Berbers (60% of the population) generally live in the countryside, the mountains and the palm groves of Southern Morocco and are the main people you will see during the Atlas trek. Mostly animal breeders, some are nomadic and travel with their flocks. In the south they have interbreded with the black population, and form a sedentary and hard working population who cultivate gardens and palm groves.

They pay no tax to the government nor do they receive any social benefits, or ask for any, as independence from outside control, and freedom to resolve their own destiny are fundamental to the Berber way of life. Berber architecture is unique and blends beautifully into its surroundings. The Berber society is largely a masculine one. Women work in the fields and do most of the heavy work, while men 'supervise' or idle the day away talking, tending grazing animals, often at great altitudes, and transport their wares to market or to other villages for trade. For the majority of the population (approximately 99%), Islam is a way of life more than a religion. There is no priesthood, no sacraments, no altar and no images of any sort but there are strict rules of conduct and regular prayer times.

History

From evidence gained from fossilized remains, Morocco has been inhabited since the earliest prehistoric times. Trading ports were set up along the coast from around the twelfth century B.C. It became part of Mauritania under the Romans, until it fell to the Vandals in 429. In 680 the Arab invasion began, and with little interruption, the Arabs have since then been in possession, if not ruling the country.