Morocco has two main ethnic groups: the Arabs and the Berbers. While the Arab culture is predominantly noticeable in the nation’s major cities and towns, Berber culture often prevails in mountainous areas. Here’s an overview of Berbers in Morocco:
Brief Berber History and Identity
Berbers come from North Africa, particularly the area known as the Maghreb. A nomadic group of peoples in times gone by, they inhabited the Sahara region and beyond, roaming through countries like Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, and Morocco, along with parts of Niger and Egypt.
The Berber people, also known as the Amazigh, were the main ethnic groups in North Africa prior to the arrival of Arabs.
Originally, Berbers followed a range of ancient belief systems that included animist principles, ancestor worship and polytheism. They were later largely Christian or Jewish before the Islamisation of the area.
Today, many Berbers are Muslims, specifically Sunni Muslims.There were (and, still are to some extent) various languages used by Berber peoples; most Berber languages are thought to have Egyptian or Chadic roots. Collectively, the languages spoken by Berber groups are known as Tamazight.
Taselhit and Tarifit are other dialects spoken in Morocco. In the distant past, Berber languages were mainly oral, with no written form of the languages.
The Berber identity reaches beyond linguistics and ethnicity, however, typically including the geography and history of the north of Africa. The various groups may have different cultures and traditions, heritage, and societies.
Traditions and Social Structure within Berber Groups
Berber communities often operate under tribal principles, with a man usually in charge of the tribe. Tribal leaders may have a range of decision-making and judicial powers. These may fall outside of a country’s established legal and social framework, but communities will still often respect any decisions made by their leader.
Depending on the particular tribe, marriage rituals may be different. In some groups, men are the head of the family, while in other tribes the reverse is true and a woman will control most family matters.
When it comes to making and income and taking care of the home, women are typically responsible for domestic chores and raising children. It is also common for women to make various crafts, both for the home and also to sell.
Men traditionally make an income and feed the family through farming. Historically, Berbers moved according to the seasons and needs of their livestock.
Berber Groups of Morocco
There are several major Berber groups within Morocco, with each typically connected to a particular area. The Riffians come from the northern part of the country, from areas around the Riff Mountains.
The Zenatas are another northern group, with communities in the north and northeast of Morocco. The Chleuhs live in areas around the Sous Valley, the High Atlas Mountains, and the Anti Atlas Mountains, while the Zayanes mainly reside in the Middle Atlas area. The Middle Atlas Mountains are also home to the Sanhaja Berber group.
Berber Culture and Traditions in Morocco
Several of Morocco’s most famous dishes have Berber roots. Couscous, for example, was a Berber staple made mostly from semolina; today, it’s a common meal on Fridays. Tagine is also historically a Berber dish, referring to the method of cooking various meats, seafood, and vegetables in a special clay pot over a fire.
Berber music in Morocco is quite distinctive. It is a popular type of folk music around the country, though keen listeners will notice a variety of regional styles.
Village music, which generally uses drums and flutes, is a type of music that is generally performed communally for entertainment and pleasure, while there are also ritual tunes for special occasions and ceremonies. Rai is another type of Berber music popular around Morocco and neighbouring Algeria.
Morocco’s Berber groups are known for their rich weaving traditions (especially related to fine rugs), with different groups traditionally producing their own distinct patterns. Berber jewellery is typically ornate and elaborate, and other crafts may include pottery and furnishings.
Several lively festivals in Morocco have Berber heritage. The Fantasia celebrates the strong horse riding skills of Berber peoples and showcases excellent control of horses, riding, and battle skills. The Fantasia is often performed at special events and there are dedicated shows where you can watch in awe.
Imilchil Marriage Festival is another well-known Berber event in Morocco. It honours a legend of two lovers from different tribal groups who were not allowed marry.
According to the tales, they subsequently both mourned their forbidden love and died of grief. It is said that their deaths prompted Berber groups to allow inter-tribal marriages on a set day of each year.
This became the Imilchil Marriage Festival. Today, the festival is a wonderful celebration filled with dancing, feasting, and much merriment. Single people don their best traditional outfits and the men line up, waiting for prospective wives to choose them.
After talking together and with each other’s families, if the couple is happy to wed they are married that same day!
Experiencing Berber Life from Marrakech
While Berbers live, work, and study in Marrakech, it is often hard to spot traditions in the daily way of city life. There are, however, several places within easy reach of the old imperial city where visitors can immerse themselves fully in the Berber lifestyle.
Right in the heart of Marrakech, the restaurant of Chez Ali offers the chance for visitors to watch an exciting Fantasia show and dine on delicious Moroccan cuisine.
The nearby Ourika Valley, located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, is one of the closest places to Marrakech where one can experience Berber culture. Day trips to the scenic valley are popular, with many people opting to hike the multi-level level waterfall at Setti Fatma, enjoy meals alongside the river, and enjoy various activities such as hiking and rafting.
The village of Setti Fatma used to be a typical Berber settlement. Today, however, locals have largely turned their attention to tourism; you’ll find an abundance of stores selling handicrafts and artworks, private homes that invite people inside for cooking lessons, meals, and a glass of mint tea, and accommodations for travelers.
There are still a number of Berber villages scattered throughout the Ourika Valley area. Tafza is a top place to see Berber life. The Ecomusee Berbere is a great way to learn more about the ethnic group, and you’ll find an array of artifacts, household items, clothing, carpets, and more within the mud-brick building that was once home to the tribal leader.
Step back in time at nearby Aghmat, an ancient Berber settlement and archeological site that once served as the nation’s capital.
Oukaimeden is one of Morocco’s primary winter ski resorts. The mountain town is also a Berber town, and you can see stone- and adobe-built dwellings.
The village of Asni, located in the High Atlas Mountains, is also a great place to see the Berber way of life. The village is known for its many fruit orchards and nut trees and, if you visit on a Sunday, you can browse and shop in the lively market.
Nearby Tahnaoute also has a large market on Tuesdays. Also close to hand, Ouirgane offers a range of activities such as hiking and horse riding, and you can also visit the large reservoir.
Imlil has many small Berber villages in the surrounding countryside, and hiking is a terrific way to pass through villages and soak up the scenic vistas.
Tanaghmeilt is a peaceful and charming Berber village, best-known forbeing the gateway to the stunning Ouzoud Falls.
Farther afield and close to Ouarzazate, which is nicknamed the Door to the Desert, Ait Benhaddou is perhaps one of the country’s most famous Berber kasbahs.
Although most locals have moved elsewhere, the homes are still mainly family owned and maintained for tourism and movie filming purposes. It’s a fantastic place to admire Berber architecture and see how tribes lived in times gone by.
If you have more time, take a multi-day trip to the desert from Marrakech. Merzouga and Zagora are both highly recommended, each offering the chance to see Berber life, gaze in wonder at the sweeping sands of the unforgiving Sahara Desert, and marvel at majestic sand dunes.
You can camp in the desert, take a camel ride, try sand boarding, indulge in sand bath therapy, dine on traditional cuisine, join ATV adventures, and more.
There are many places where you can easily see Berber life close to Marrakech.