Friday, March 15, 2019

The Berbers

Today was a day filled with culture in the heart of the second most populated city in Morocco, Fez. As my project is focused on Berber culture, the original natives of Morocco, I learned of many cultural aspects and practices that have lasted for over 700 years mastered by the Berber people. It was a great way to pull together the Berber influence on Moroccan culture. Throughout the trip I have been learning different aspects of the Berber lifestyle. What strikes me is how resourceful the Berbers are. They use every aspect of the animals–whether it’s to eat or make clothing–and haven’t changed their methods for hundreds of years. We walked through the market saw how you could basically buy an entire cow including the hoofs. The selection at the market was also a testament to their resourcefulness as you could buy dozens of kinds of fruits and spices. Many were grown right in Morocco. Also, they see camels as friends and never use them for any reason besides transportation and farm work. In the Berber community the importance of religion is fading especially among the youth. Mostly practice in childhood, a large population is lightening their practices or even stopping their practice in Islam all together by their twenties. Some are also switching to Judaism or Christianity. The craftsmanship of their art and production of good such as clothes and leather is perfection as the people commit their whole life to their craft. We went to a place where mosaics were made and were told the artists start in their early teens. As I continue my research I want to dive deeper into the religious aspect of Berbers and discover if that has caused any separation with the Berbers and the Arabs of Morocco. As our trip is nearing its end I have been inspired by the Berbers and their way of life. It makes me think about all the waste and misuse of natural resources in the United States. I have learned many lessons to carry with me back to the States on Saturday. 
- Clancy





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