|
Morocco is located at the northwestern corner of Africa on the rim of the Saharan Desert. Our information on Morocco is still very limited. It has both Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. We have also prepared a Moroccan history page. Arabs conquered the country (8th century). The country was one of those involved in the African slave trade and attacks on Christian shipping for several centuries. It maintained its independence until the French finally seized control (early 20th century). Morocco was seized by the Allies during the World War II Torch Landings (1942). The country today is almost entirely Muslim. The country became independent after World War II. It is one of several Arab monsrchies. Like other North African countries, Morocco has serious economic probems. Large numbers oif Moroccans seek jobs in Europe, especially Spain. We have some information on schools. We have some information about the French living in Morocco during the protectorate period of the early- and mid-20th century. We note French boys wearing rompers. We have found a portrait from the late 19th century showing an unidentified boy in Tangier. He wears a rough shirt like garment had a shaved head with a single plited strand. We do not know how common this was. the rough shirt or tunic was probably common with the pooer. We are less sure about the hair. A reader writes, "I recall my visit to Morocco in 1970. Children were dressed in Western Clothes but there were also children wearing Arab garments. I recall a little kid showing me his slate with Arab writing on it. He had come out of a Mosque school and he was very excited about what he had learnt and maybe written. I recall there being lots of children surrounding Westeners begging for candy or chewing gum and maybe selling you stuff. In Fez we had a football match with the local kids. They were as interested in we Westerners as we were in them."
Morocco is a country with very rugged terrain, nuch of it very arid. Morocco is located at the northwestern corner of Africa--the western Mahreb. It is set on the rim of the Sahara Desert. The Sahara created a barrier between the Meditrranean wold and Equatorial Africa, explaining wht thethnic mix of of North Africa is different than the Wquatorial south. Our information on Morocco is still very limited. It has both Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. The country besides being located between the Sahara and the Mediterranean also jas rugged mountains, the most important range is the Atlas.
Morocco is often grouped with the three other Mediterranean North African Arab states which comprise the Maghreb. There are a number of similarities and there are other factors making Morocco unique. Morocco had a thousand-year old record of independence. Arabs conquered the country (8th century). Morocco became part of the Islamic Caliphate, but not a part of the Ottoman Empire. There was also a history of relations with Spain. This was most pronounced during the centuries of Islamic rule in Spain, but continued even after the Reconquista creating a unique relationship between the two countries. The country was one of those involved in the African slave trade and attacks on Christian shipping for several centuries. Geography also made Morocco different. It was the only North African country with an Atlantic coast. This affected the outlook of Moroccans. In addition the status of Tangiers as an international city provided contacts with Europeans that other North African countries did not have. Morocco maintained its independence until the French finally seized control (early 20th century). Much of Morocco's modern infrastructure and institutions can be dated to the French colonial period. Morocco was seized by the Allies during the World War II Torch Landings (1942). The country today is almost entirely Muslim. The country became independent after World War II. Unlike neighboring Algeria, there was no bloody war of independence. Morocco is one of several Arab monarchies.
Like other North African countries, Morocco has serious economic probems. Large numbers of Moroccans seek jobs in Europe, especially Spain, because of the lack of opportunities in Morocco itself. The situation, however, is far better than that of neighbiring Algeria. There was no war for independence. After independence, French relations with Morocco have been generally positive. Large numbers of educated Moroccans speak Frebnch. Many inhabitants speak French, which is their second language in the street and the first in higher education. Huge exports of fruits and vegetables from sunny Morocco are marketed in the European Union, especially France. A number of French people have retired in Morocco. The country has no significnt oil resource, has an importnt tourist indusry attracting Europens.
We have some information about the French living in Morocco during the protectorate period of the early- and mid-20th century. We note French boys wearing rompers. We have found a portrait from the late 19th century showing an unidentified boy in Tangier. He wears a rough shirt like garment had a shaved head with a single plited strand. We do not know how common this was. the rough shirt or tunic was probably common with the pooer. We are less sure about the hair. A reader writes, "I recall my visit to Morocco in 1970. Children were dressed in Western Clothes but there were also children wearing Arab garments. I recall a little kid showing me his slate with Arab writing on it. He had come out of a Mosque school and he was very excited about what he had learnt and maybe written. I recall there being lots of children surrounding Westeners begging for candy or chewing gum and maybe selling you stuff. In Fez we had a football match with the local kids. They were as interested in we Westerners as we were in them."
Family is central to Moroccan life. This is the general pattern throughout the Arab world. Of course family is important around the world, but in relative terms is more important in the Arab world than in more secular oriented countries. That may be fine for family values which definitely are important, but create problems such as nepotism when you try to run a country. Family sizes are large compared to Western families, but have been declining n recent yeas, especially among urban families. Polygamy is legal in Morocco because it is sanctioned in the Koran, but it is now uncommon, primarily for financial reasons. Women are n allowed to have more than one husband. Relatively few men can support two or more families. And there are now a range of non-Koranic restrictions. A husband must get the consent of his current wife before marrying a second time. Judicial approval is also required. A man must be able to financially support multiple families. A man must be able to demonstrate that he can provide for all of his wives equally. The Moroccan Family Code of 2004 governs polygamy in Morocco. Breaking the law and marrying without permission from one's current wife can result in fines, but not jail time. Moroccan families like other Arab tend to be very close-knit with a greater degree of sharing than is the case in he West. Living together in multi-generational households is very common. The idea that respecting parents and elders is very strong/ Teenage angst is much less common. A highly regarded phase is 'lla yrHm lwalidin' meaning 'God bless your parents.' Meal time is an important event and commonly eaten communally. The 'Patriarchy' is alive and still thriving. The doll Barbie and the movie 'Barbie' has mixed reception. Morocco's more open society allowed the film to play and there was an open discussion of the issues. Neighboring Algeria banned it. In Morocco the family head is the father, but the mother's opinion is consulted, more so than in many Arab countries. Young adults tend to stay with parents until they are married, certainly the girls. For boys, finance is a an important issue. For girls it is more cultural. This can be well into their late-20s or even early-30s. Traditionally, the mother's responsibilities are domestic, managing the home and caring for the children. In this area the mother can even sometimes challenge her husband, especially in the more culturally modern countries like Morocco. Increasingly women are working outside the home, but young women are still much less independent than Western women. Children generally own their own belongings, including clothing. Borrow from siblings is common giving the multi-generational setup. Middle-class teenagers generally do not work outside the family, even part-time jobs and their spending is monitored. Poor children may have to work, although income levels have risen considerably in recent years. Family time is important among Moroccan families. Mint tea is commonly shared at family time together.
We do not have much information on Moroccan boys' activiities. We have some information on schools. The primary religion is Islam. As in other Arab countries, religion is an important part of boys' lives. This particularly the case in Muslim countries and Morocco is a largely Muslim country. Arab and other Musim countries have not beome largely secularized like most Western countries. Morocco was conquered by Arab armies (7th century). There was resistance from Berber tribes, but the country was throughly Islamicized (8th century). There once was a substantial Jewish population. And there is a small Christian population. Many children work, this was the normal situation in Morocco until after World War II. One of the jobs commonly given to boys was a shephered. They normally cared for sheep and goats. We know little about sheep and goat raising industruies in Morocco.
We have only limited information on Moroccan minorities. The country once had a sizeable Jewish minority.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Middle Eastern and North African country page]
[Return to the Main Middle East and North African history page]
[Return to the Main Moroccan Holocaust page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Cloth and textiles]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
