Learning the Languages of Morocco

Moroccan Arabic

Moroccan Arabic, also known as Darija, is Morocco’s major native language. It is different from most other versions of Arabic, but most Moroccans will understand the other versions. About 85% of people in Morocco speak or understand this language. It is similar to versions of Arabic spoken in other North African countries, like Algeria. Moroccan Arabic dialects also differ in rural to urban areas, due to different patterns of settlement.

Standard Arabic

Standard Arabic is the official language, and is understood throughout Morocco. This form of Arabic is standard in the majority of Northern Africa and the Middle East. Most television programs that air in Morocco are in Standard Arabic.

Hassaniyya Arabic

Hassaniyya Arabic is also known as “Moor.” Around 40,000 people who live in Southern Morocco use this dialect.

Judeo-Moroccan Arabic

This form of Arabic is spoken by less than 10,000 people, and is confined to small, secluded areas in the country.

Tachelhit

Tachelhit is a form of the Berber language. About 3-4 million people in Morocco speak it. It is conectrated in the Soussis area in the south-central part of the country.

Central Atlas Tamazight

This is another Berber language, spoken by about 3 million people. It is concenrated in the center of the country.

Tarifit

This version of Berber is spoken by approximately 1.5 million people. It is concentrated in the Rif area in the northern part of the country.

Spanish

Despite its proximity to Spain, only about 20,000 people in Morocco are capable of speaking Spanish.

French

About half of the people in Morocoo are capable of speaking some French. It is an unofficial second language. The French used to have a strong influence in this country in the first half of the 20th century. After the French left, a process of “Arabization” occurred, but the language still remains. French is commonly used in the government and in economics, as well as in education.

English

Though less common than Spanish or French, a growing number of Moroccans are beginning to speak English. It is becoming more common amongst the educated youth in Morocco. Many people who work in the tourist industry are capable of a few languages, and English is usually one of them.

Navigating the Major Cities of Morocco

Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, and is located on the Atlantic Ocean, as the country’s biggest port. economic and industrial center of Morocco. It’s a good city if you like warm and hot weather that doesn’t change much. A metro and a tram are both under construction, but will not be finished for at least another few years. There is a scenic old town of Casablanca that has lots of mosques, historic landmarks, open air markets and other activities. Some nice neighborhoods in Casablanca are Gauthier and Anfa. Casablanca has a population of over 3.6 million people, and then extends even further with some slum areas. Locals call this city “Caza,” and its ancient name is “Anfa.” It is located in the Maghreb area, and is considered to be the

Rabat/Salé

Rabat is the capital city of the Kingdom of Morocco. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the river Bou Regreg. About 2 million people live in Rabat. There are many textile and food processing factories in the area. There are also many foreign embassies located in this city. There is some culture in the city, such as the Theatre Mohamed V, some galleries and an archeology museum.

Salé is the city outside Rabat, and is home to many poor factory workers. It’s not a huge destination to relocate, as it’s considered to be polluted, poorly planned and ever-expanding. About 900,000 people live in Salé.

Tangier

Tangier is located in Northern Morocco, near the Strait of Gibraltar, which is where the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean connect. Spain is only 20 miles away from Tangier. About 700,000 people live in Tangier. This city has long been a location of diversity and heritage from many cultures, like the Berbers and Phoenicians, and has become a place for many Europeans, Americans and Indians to visit and live. It also has much Spanish and French influence. Several famous Western artists, from William S Burroughs to Tennessee Williams to the Rolling Stones, have spent time in Tangiers. The city is currently going through many stages of development and modernization. Five star hotels, a business district, a new airport terminal and soccer stadium are all in the works. This is likely to change the city a good deal in the future. After Casablanca, Tangiers is the second most important industrial center of Morocco.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen is a beautiful mountain village in northwest Morocco, noted for its buildings which are almost all painted in shades of blue. And located just inland from Tangier and Tetouan, Chefchaouen is close to major international cities but still with all the charm of small culture and eccentric local looks.

Tourists do flock here, but for good reason: this humble town is the embodiment of almost every Moroccan cliché. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the call to prayer seems to echo in serene chorus out of several mosques around the town. If you’re looking for somewhere to relax from the rigors of life, this is a good place to do it.

That laid back atmosphere might also be partly due to the fact that Chefchaouen is at the center of the marijuana plantations region in North Morocco. Drugs are widespread in the town, but also widely tolerated. You might even say that this is the Moroccan version of Amsterdam.

Chefchaouen is a popular shopping destination as well, as it offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular and unique.

Things to see in and around town include the medina, which is the focal point of interest for most visitors to Chefchaouen, but also check out the waterfall (Ras el Maa) to the east of the medina – it’s a meeting point for local residents who come to cool off, chat and do their laundry (including carpets on sunny sundays). Also, the Ashour Waterfalls lie only 30 minites by car and 2.5 hours by foot from the town.

Of course, just walking around the town with its whitewashed walls, originally decorated in this style by Jewish immigrants, can be a nice way to change pace and center your thoughts.

This town has been an escape for locals for hundreds of years – come to escape yourself!

Learning the Social Customs of Morocco

Most Moroccans are Muslim, and some follow the daily schedule of praying five times per day. The weekends are Thursday and Friday, and almost everything is closed on Fridays. During Ramadan, expats are not required to participate in the fasting, but should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public.

Moroccans place high value in honor and pride; dignity is reflected by individuals and all members of their extended families. They will do anything to maintain their honor. This is reflected in the way that other people see them, so they make sure to keep a respectable reputation. They avoid “hshuma,” which is a guilty feeling after they know they have done something bad. They will often refrain from certain activities in public in order to not face this.

The center of the Moroccan social life is one’s family. People are close with their extended families, and their individual interests come after the interests of the greater family. They have a lot of respect for the elder members of the family, and will put great emphasis in their opinions.

When Moroccans greet each other, they will usually shake hands with members of the same sex. Moroccans who know each other will spend some time talking about people they know and other topics. Westerners may find Moroccan handshakes to be rather weak. When people start to know each other, members of the same sex will kiss each other on both cheeks. If a man and woman happen to greet each other, the woman usually extends her hand first, or the man must bow to her. If you are meeting a bunch of people at once, you should shake hands with the person to your right, and then go around the room from right to left. When you leave, say bye to everyone individually.

If you are invited to a Moroccan house, you should bring a gift of pastries, figs, dates or just flowers. As it is a Muslim society, many people don’t drink, so don’t bring wine unless you know for sure that the hosts drink. If there is a child, you can bring a small gift for them, but it’s not required. Gifts are not opened when received. Dress conservatively but stylishly; take off your shoes before you go into the house. Don’t assume that you can bring your spouse along, as some Moroccans will only hold single-gender parties.

Pay attention to the Moroccan table manners, as they are quite different from Western ones. When you eat, the food will usually go on a knee-high round table. Moroccans will usually pass around a washing basin to cleanse your hands before you start your meal, and will provide you with a towel to dry them off. Don’t start eating until the host directs this, or starts eating. Food bowls are communal, but you should eat from the section that is in front of you. You should scoop up food with a piece of bread. Only use the right hand for eating, the left is considered unclean. Drinking water is served in a communal glass as well. At the end of the meal, they will bring out the washing basin again.