Moroccans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Moroccans
المغاربة (al-Maġāriba)
مغربيون (Maġribiyyūn)
ⵉⵎⵖⵕⴰⴱⵉⵢⵏ (Imɣṛabiyen)

Map of the Moroccan diaspora in the world
Total population
+- 45 million worldwide
Regions with significant populations
Morocco	37,300,000
France	1,314,000
Italy	600 000
Israel	1,000,000
Spain	1.000.000
Belgium	530 000
Netherlands	392,000
United Arab Emirates	100,000
United States	113,544
Canada	103,945
Germany	75,855
United Kingdom	70,000
Algeria	63,000
Saudi Arabia	60,000
Sweden	11,025
Norway	10,500
Denmark	15,000
Qatar	9,000
Switzerland	7,270
Ukraine	7,000
Australia	4,200
Portugal	4,000
Oman	4,000
Brazil	3,500
Finland	3,465
Russia	3,400
South Africa	2,100
Ivory Coast	1,800
Mauritania	1,056
Languages
Arabic (Moroccan Arabic, Jebli Arabic, Judeo-Moroccan Arabic, Hassaniya Arabic), Berber (Tashlhit, Tarifit, Central Atlas Tamazight, Judeo-Berber, Standard Moroccan Berber), Haketia, French, Spanish
Religion
Predominantly Islam (Sunni, Nondenominational Islam, Sufi); minority Judaism, Shia Islam, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Other Maghrebis, Berbers, Arab-Berber

Moroccans (Arabic: المغاربة al-Maġāriba, Berber: ⵉⵎⵖⵕⴰⴱⵉⵢⵏ Imɣṛabiyen, ancient names Spanish: Moros and English: Moors) are an ethnically diverse but mainly Arab and Berber Maghrebi nation inhabiting or originating from the modern day country of Morocco in North Africa and who share a common Moroccan culture and ancestry.

In addition to the 37 million Moroccans in Morocco, there is a large Moroccan diaspora in France, Belgium, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, and a smaller one in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Arabian Peninsula and in other Arab states. A sizeable part of the Moroccan diaspora is composed of Moroccan Jews.

History

     Capsian culture     Iberomaurusian culture

The first anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) in North Africa are the makers of the Aterian, a Middle Stone Age (or Middle Palaeolithic) stone tool culture. The earliest Aterian lithic assemblages date to around 145,000 years ago, and were discovered at the site of Ifri n'Ammar in Morocco. This industry was followed by the Iberomaurusian culture, a backed bladelet industry found throughout the Maghreb. It was originally described in 1909 at the site of Abri Mouillah. Other names for this Cro-Magnon-associated culture include Mouillian and Oranian. The Epipaleolithic Iberomaurusian makers were centred in prehistoric sites, such as Taforalt and Mechta-Afalou. They were succeeded by the Capsians. The Capsian culture is often thought to have arrived in Africa from the Near East, although it is also suggested that the Iberomaurusians may have been the progenitors of the Capsians. Around 5000 BC, the populations of North Africa were primarily descended from the makers of the Iberomaurusian and Capsian cultures, with a more recent intrusion associated with the Neolithic revolution.

Ethnic groups

Moroccans are primarily of Arab and Berber (Amazigh) origin, as in other neighbouring countries in Maghreb region. Today, Moroccans are considered a mix of Arab, Berber, and mixed Arab-Berbers or Arabized Berbers, alongside other minority ethnic backgrounds from across the region. Ethnic identity is strongly entwined with linguistic identity, meaning that genetic ancestry (or perceived ancestry) is only a secondary determiner of identity. Socially, there are two contrasting groups of Moroccans: those living in the cities and those in the rural areas. Among the rural, several classes have formed such as landowners, peasants, and tenant farmers. Moroccans live mainly in the north and west portions of Morocco. However, they prefer living in the more fertile regions near the Mediterranean Sea. The populations of Morocco were an amalgamation of Ibero-Maurisian and a minority of Capsian stock blended with a more recent intrusion associated with the Neolithic revolution. Out of these populations, the proto-Berber tribes formed during the late Paleolithic era.

Arabic-speaking Berbers include the Jebala in the north and Sahrawiyin in the southeast. Berber-speaking groups include the Riffians, Shilha and Zayanes.

A small minority of the population is identified as Haratin and Gnawa, These are sedentary agriculturalists of non-Arab and non-Berber origin, who inhabit the southern and eastern oases and speak either Berber or Arabic.

Between the Nile and the Red Sea were living Arab tribes expelled from Arabia for their turbulence, Banu Hilal and Sulaym, who often plundered farming areas in the Nile Valley. According to Ibn Khaldun, whole tribes set off with women, children, ancestors, animals and camping equipment. These tribes, who arrived in the region of Morocco around the 12th-13th centuries, contributed to a more extensive "Arabization" of Morocco over time, especially beyond the major urban centres and the northern regions which were the main sites of Arabization up to that point.

Genetic composition

Distribution of the haplogroup E1b1b-M81, the most common paternal lineage among Moroccans.

Culture

A Moroccan kaftan

Through Moroccan history, the country had many cultural influences (Europe, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa). The culture of Morocco shares similar traits with those of neighboring countries, particularly Algeria and Tunisia and to a certain extent Spain.

Morocco influenced modern day Europe, in several fields, from architecture to agriculture, and the introduction of Moroccan numbers, widely used now in the world.

Each region possesses its own uniqueness, contributing to the national culture. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

The traditional dress for men and women is called djellaba, a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called a bernousse, more commonly known as a fez. Women wear kaftans decorated with ornaments. Nearly all men, and most women, wear balgha (بلغه). These are soft leather slippers with no heel, often dyed yellow. Women also wear high-heeled sandals, often with silver or gold tinsel.

Moroccan style is a new trend in decoration, which takes its roots from Moorish architecture. It has been made popular by the vogue of riad renovation in Marrakech. Dar is the name given to one of the most common types of domestic structures in Morocco; it is a home found in a medina, or walled urban area of a city. Most Moroccan homes traditionally adhere to the Dar al-Islam, a series of tenets on Islamic domestic life. Dar exteriors are typically devoid of ornamentation and windows, except occasional small openings in secondary quarters, such as stairways and service areas. These piercings provide light and ventilation.

Moroccan cuisine primarily consists of a blend of Berber, Moorish and Iberian/Sephardi Jewish influences. It is known for dishes like couscous and pastilla, among others. Spices such as cinnamon are also used in Moroccan cooking. Sweets like halwa are popular, as well as other confections. Cuisines from neighbouring areas have also influenced the country's culinary traditions.

Additionally, Moroccan craftsmanship has a rich tradition of jewellery-making, pottery, leather-work and woodwork.

The music of Morocco ranges and differs according to the various areas of the country. Moroccan music has a variety of styles from complex sophisticated orchestral music to simple music involving only voice and drums. There are three varieties of Berber folk music: village and ritual music, and the music performed by professional musicians. Chaabi (الشعبي) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which descend from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting. Gnawa is a form of music that is mystical. It was gradually brought to Morocco by the Gnawa and later became part of the Moroccan tradition. Sufi brotherhoods (tarikas) are common in Morocco, and music is an integral part of their spiritual tradition. This music is an attempt at reaching a trance state which inspires mystical ecstasy.

Languages

Linguistic map of Morocco

Morocco's official languages are Classical Arabic and Berber.

The majority of the population speaks Moroccan Arabic. More than 12 million Moroccans speak Berber varieties, either as a first language or bilingually with Arabic. Three different Berber dialects are spoken: Riff, Shilha (Chleuh) and Central Atlas Tamazight.

Hassaniya Arabic is spoken in the southern part of the country. Morocco has recently included the protection of Hassaniya in the constitution as part of the July 2011 reforms.

French is taught universally and still serves as Morocco's primary language of commerce and economics; it is also widely used in education, sciences, government and most education fields.

Spanish is also spoken by some in the northern part of the country as a foreign language. Meanwhile, English is increasingly becoming more popular among the educated, particularly in the science fields.