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Pottery
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Working the raw materials with marvelous finesse, using the colors of the orient ...
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Woodworking |
The specialty of the Essaouira region is its celebrated work in the dappled wood of the Thuya tree, polished and inlaid with motifs in lemon-wood, ebony and mother-of-pearl. In the 1990's, Essaouiri artisans began to spread
south towards Agadir in search of new and more abundant materials; now, the Essaouiri art of Thuya is xpanding throughout Morocco as craftsmen return home from their studies here and create their own variations on this ancient art.
With its arabesques and geometric patterns, the art of Thuya can be found in tables, furniture, and chests of all shapes and sizes. The characteristic odor of Thuya together with its superb and subtle coloration, make for a
unique wood which, when combined with the stunning craftsmanship, provides a surprise for the visitor who is lucky enough to tour one of the factories which produce it
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Goldsmithing |
The bracelets, bands, and necklaces which
set women to dreaming ...
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Carpets |
The unavoidable wool carpet -- a symbol of Moroccan art, history and culture. The carpet is the most important furnishing of the interior of a home
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Tilework |
The art of these beautiful tiles of enameled earthenware is best seen in the well-preserved work decorating the minarets, mosques, and portals ...
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The Gnaouas |
They evoke magic, music and history, this
people unique among others ...
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Gnaoua Festival |
From June 24th through June 27th, 2004
Widely celebrated today, the music called
'gnaoua' shows its diverse heritage in its
many elements and musical references: a
mix of african and arab-muslim, meditative
trance and rites of possession ...
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Musical styles |
Moroccan culture contains within it the influences of mumerous musical styles, such as Muwashshah, Zajal and Kharia, and that's not to mention Nouba ...
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Dance |
With a folklore rich in muscal influences ranging from Greco-Roman, Jewish, Arabic, African and Andalucian, mixed with the Berber heritage ...
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Moroccan music |
Originally sung at festive occasions, the popular song style known as Chaâbi has developed in the cities, combining the language of the street with the creation of new rhythms made, above all, for dancing ...
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Architecture
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Three elements characterize Hispano-Moorish architecture: the arabesque, the calligraphy and the geometric motif ...
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Argan Oil |
There is only one place in the world one can grow Argan, the small tree which proliferates in the wild and arid regions of southern Morocco. Its oil is celebrated not only for its nutritious value but also for its use in
cosmetic and even medical products. It is a gift from nature waiting to be discovered ...
Argan oil comes from the nuts of the Argan tree (Argania spinosa), which remains little-known outside the region; unsurprising, considering it only grows in approximately 700,000 to 800,000 hecatres of South-West Morocco.
The extract of its nuts consists, primarily, of a highly nutritious oil which the Moroccans use in their cuisine where Europeans might use olive oil, as well as for flavoring cakes, cookies, and pastries of all kinds;
many prefer simply to have it with breakfast, plain or with honey on fresh-baked bread. The remaining oil cake is used for livestock feed and the shells for kindling -- nothing goes to waste.
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Moroccan Mint Tea |
This unchanging symbol of Moroccan friendship and hospitality is served throughout Morocco, at all hours of the day, any time friends get together.
A ceremony both flexible and yet precise, it is a sign of welcome which must not be refused ...
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Moroccan cuisine |
Famous around the world, at once rich and refined, the cuisine of Morocco is justly renowned for its colors, its flavors, and its use of spices ...
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