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ouarzazate city
City in Morocco with 40,000 inhabitants.
Ouarzazate is situated in the interior of the country, south of the High Atlas mountains, at an elevation of 1,135 metres.
Ouarzazate has been formed to become the centre of Sahara tourism, and the place has many luxury hotels. Ouarzazate has also served as the centre of international film makers, when shooting desert and semidesert scenes. Among famous films shot around Ouarzazate we find The Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky. Ouarzazate has an international airport.
HISTORY
19th century: The Glaoui family gets control of the region, and settles in the Taourirt kasbah.
1928: Ouarzazate is established as a French garrison and administrative centre, right north of Taourirt.

ait ben haddou
Today we'll first discover Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most authentic and well maintained villages in the region of Atlas. Then we'll proceed to Marrakech via the High Atlas mountain and 2700 meters high Tizi n Tichka pass offering magnificent views and a unique landscape. In the afternoon we'll arrive in Marrakech and start to explore this fascinating city. Marrakech is the point where the Arab culture of the cities meets the Berber culture of the mountain villages; where the weary sub-Saharan traders (carrying gold, salt and slaves) would ply their wares to the merchants who would then bring them to Europe. Today we will visit Djemaa el Fna Square full with story tellers, snake charmers, acrobats, musicians, folklore dancers. Overnight stay in Marrakech.

festival of imilchil
Staunch romantics and fans of Cilla Black's Blind Date will be interested by a rather unusual travel opportunity at the end of August, deep in the red desert High Atlas mountains of Morocco.

We've all heard of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, but the Berber tribes of Morocco have a tale of woe of their own that will soften even the hardest of hearts.

The one-day marriage festival of Imilchil, a remote town located one day's drive from the nearest Moroccan town, is dedicated to the two lovers Tislet and Isli, who are said to have developed a forbidden love that their families would not abide. The pair then cried themselves to death, forming the two lakes found at Imilchil in the process.

Although Tislet and Isli had little luck in this region, matches made at Imilchil are now thought to be blessed with happiness and longevity and as such, Blind Date contestants of the Berber variety convene in this barren place once a year to find their perfect man or woman.

The matchmaking festival is accompanied by music, dance and a large market, and Berber tribes dressed in traditional dress also present more than their wares in the form of their daughters and sons, specially dressed for the occasion.

Families have a large part to play in the matchmaking ritual, although it is ultimately the female, who has been lined up for inspection by this year's stags, who seals the deal by telling her match he has "stolen her liver".

Unusual yes, but no less romantic than other ceremonies and the annual festival is certainly worth seeing for those brave enough to make the trip high into the mountains.

However, some travel firms offer the festival as part of a wider Morocco package, where travellers can visit cities including Marrakesh and Casablanca, another site of romance between Humphrey Bogart's character Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman's Ilsa in the 1942 movie of the same name.

Wedding Customs / Morocco
Every culture treasures the wedding ceremony in some way. Traditions and ceremonies differ in each land and Morocco is no exception. Read on to learn more about a few Moroccan wedding traditions.

The traditional Moroccan wedding has quite an elaborate and meaningful process. The wedding process can take up to seven days and there are many pre-wedding ceremonies which take place before the actual wedding.

Morocco is a place with very rich and active traditions and many of these can be seen at Moroccan wedding ceremonies. Usually, the entire affair is quite expensive. It starts with the paying of a dowry which is spent on household items and furniture for the bride. If the grooms parents are very wealthy, they will pay for these items themselves. The bride also receives golden jewelry and is sent presents of cloth, clothing and perfume from her groom every feast day. The courtship period can last from six months to two years.

Once a date has been set for the wedding, the real preparations begin. Five days before the matrimonial event, necessities such as a mattress and blanket are taken to the bridal chamber. There the bride is given a bath in hammam which is a sort of milk bath that is meant to purify the bride. Her negaffa (female attendants) will usually supervise the event. The negaffa - who are usually older married woman, female friends and relatives - then they set about trying to beautify her. After dressing her in an elaborately decorated wedding kaftan (usually white) they proceed to decorate her with heavy jewelry and darken her eyes with kohl which looks a bit like thick dark eyeliner.

The group then proceeds to have a beberiska ceremony in which the hands and feet of the bride and her party are painted with henna. The bride's designs are always the most intricate and the various floral and geometric designs are meant to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck and increase fertility. The grooms name is often hidden in the henna designs. The negaffa will usually take this opportunity to discuss the 'secrets' of marriage with the young virgin. In some ceremonies the bride will then be placed behind a curtain to symbolize her change of lifestyle. In more remote areas, this ceremony would only take place the day before the wedding. Often, a bride is not expected to do any house work until her henna has faded.

Once all this preparation is complete, food is prepared in excess to cater for unexpected guests and the festivities begin. In times past, the men and woman would celebrate these festivities at separate locations. At some point in the evening, the groom would leave to make his way towards the bridal party accompanied by a group of friends who sing, beat drums and dance. The bride would be lifted up on a circular cushion or table and the groom on the shoulders of his friends. The two would then be carried to the bridal chamber where they would be expected to consummate their marriage. The bridal party would then examine their sheets for signs of blood to confirm the bride's virginity. The two would then journey to their new home and the bride would circle her home three times before becoming the keeper of her new hearth.

Today, things have changed somewhat. Although the hamman bath is still used quite often in more rural areas, it is sometimes completely overlooked in the cities and towns. And though young brides are still quite happy to don their ceremonial kaftans, these are now more often shop bought because modern machinery has caused hand made kaftans to be considered an expensive rarity. Many women who consider themselves to be more 'modern' have also rejected the intricate henna designs that usually adorn the bride.

The food is now more often provided by caterers instead of family members. Most young people have begun to choose their own marriage partners and ask for their parent's blessing on the arrangement. In the past, a marriage partner was always chosen for them. The celebrations still take place at different locations for the men and woman. Often, someone is employed to paint the hands of guests with henna. Music at these occasions can be traditional Berber, Andalusian or Arabian, or they can be popular modern tunes played on traditional instruments. The young groom is accompanied by singing, dancing friends although usually, there are a few car hooters to add to the din. Nowadays, instead of immediately consummating their marriage at this point, the two parties more often join together and the bride changes into an outfit reflecting her region. After more celebrations, the bride then changes again and the newly wed couple leaves the party for some private time. They usually go to a hotel instead of the traditional marriage chamber and no one expects them to display their sheets as proof of the bride's virginity.

The festivities do not end here. Throughout the week, the newly weds will visit friends and relatives as well as show off their new home and gifts. To this day, marriage is generally thought of as being the most important decision that both the man and woman can make. Because of this, the whole affair is expensive and elaborate.


The Imilchil Moussem/Wedding Fair

Once a year the people of the various mountain tribes in the Atlas Mountains converge at a special meeting place for the Imilchil Moussem. This special meeting which takes place in September is primarily a massive souk where 30 000 or more Berbers gather to sell and trade their possessions. However, the gathering is not merely an exercise in financial expertise - it is also the place of the largest wedding fair in the country. The tradition was started when officials during the colonial area insisted that Berbers assemble once a year to register births, deaths and marriages. After Morocco claimed independence, the tourist office encouraged the continuation of the festival. Contrary to popular belief, very few of the marriages here are prearranged. The woman arrive in ceremonial garb and they spend time flirting and getting to know the available men during the festivities and dances. Many of them already know each other. Then, near the end of the celebration, the marriage ceremonies begin and several new marriages are made simultaneously. This ceremony has, in more recent times, received a lot of tourist attention which has detracted from the ceremonies authenticity. However, the joyous occasion continues down to this day and the exact date of the festival can be obtained from the tourist board should you wish to be a part of it. Morocco CultureMuseums Ancient Morocco Moroccan Proverbs Folklore Art Galleries Morocco Art People Language Weddings and Customs Celebrations

EL JADIDA

The Future in sight for El Jadida, about 90 kilometers southwest of Casablanca, is prodigious.

Its history and its positions on the Atlantic coast made the city a famous tourist locality. The port of Jorf Lasfar, built in the immediate vicinity, has, in the past few years, made it an economic center of prime importance. The first documented historical mention of the city dates to the period of the Portuguese domination which began in 1502. four years later it took the name of Mazagan. The portuguese built fortifications and succeeded in maintaining their settlement for over two centries despite the resistance of the population, sieges and attacks by the central power. Numerous vestiges of the the Lusitanian citadel are still extant The old city is also still surrounded by powerful ramparts, reinforced by four bastions, known as Holy Spirit, St. Anthony, St. Sebastian, and Angel. A canal runs between the walls of the first and the last of these bastions, a residence of the old moat which once surrounded the citadel. An underground citern of the 16th century lies along the road that leads from the entrance of the citadel of the sae gate. It presumably was used as a storehouse until 1641 when it was transformed into a cistern to ensure a supply of water in case of siege. The vaults supported by 25 columns measure 34 meters in diameter, at the top o one of the vaults furnishes a surprising play of light and shadow. This semi-obscurity is truly evocative.

weather of morocco
weather in morocco is so mosaic too as morocco is, in one single day you can feel how cold is the atlas mountains then you can drive some hours to feel yourself too hot at the sahara dunes and oasis.

at the coasts reign the oceanic moderated climat, at the northen band the mediterranean cool climat sometimes cold, weather at the atlas mountains (inland) is cold and very influenced by height with his snowfall winter, in the south reign the saharian hot climat.

sunshine levels are more than 10 in marrakech , fez , agadir and ouarzazate.

Average Temperatures in Morocco
City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Agadir 20 22 23 23 23 27 27 28 25 25 23 20
Casablanca 15 15 16 18 20 24 26 28 24 24 21 20
Essaouira 17 18 19 19 21 23 24 28 24 20 20 18
Fes 15 15 18 22 24 28 32 34 28 24 20 17
Marrakech 18 19 23 27 30 35 35 37 33 30 26 20
Ouarzazate 18 20 24 26 32 36 37 39 32 29 26 19
Rabat 16 18 20 20 24 28 30 30 24 23 21 18
Zagora 22 25 25 31 33 38 41 44 38 34 29 22

The old city
When entering one of the monumental gates, Bab Sbâa, Bab Marrakech or Bab Doukhala, you find yourself in the midst of an animated and joyful crowd, where everybody is going about his own business. There are no motor vehicles here, everything is carried by carts sometimes drawn by mules. What fascinates visitors are the white-washed house walls, the blue doors and windows which are reminiscent of Mediterranean islands. Owing to the straight main streets, you will have no problem finding your way and even if you get lost in the numerous small lanes, sooner or later you will find a main street again... or a dead-end.
What is also worth seeing is the central market with its numerous butcher shops. Under the market arcades you can find all kinds of merchants selling vegetables, spices and seeds, meat and fish.
To get away from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace, a glimpse at the ocean view from the Scala - the fortified place of the city - is breathtaking with its beautiful battery of canons pointing out to the sea.
Sooner or later, you will come to Moulay Hassan Square lined by trees and coffee bars where you can drink a peppermint tea and watch the coming and going of the Souiris, the inhabitants of Essaouira, who are very fond of this square.
A bit further on, past the Gate of the Marine, you will reach the port and shipyard, where ships are still built in the traditional way.

History of essaouira
Essaouira - “the jewel of the Atlantic” - is a small fortified port on the same latitude as Marrakech, between Safi and Agadir. see Morocco map
Since the first century B.C., there has been a small settlement on the Purple Islands, so-called because the murex, a mollusc from which the colour purple was extracted, was found in its waters.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese then came and built the first fortifications. The Scala is worthy of special mention. The city was then given the name Mogador.
Later, in the 18th century, merchants from Europe also arrived and the city began to enjoy its Golden Age. The sultan of that time, Sidi Mohamed ben Abdallah, decided to make it the most important port of the kingdom. He permitted different tribes to inhabit the city and consulates to be established: Denmark first, then France, Brasil and Portugal. This intelligent and tolerant prince even welcomed an important Jewish community, which contributed greatly to the development of the city. Mogador became the first Moroccan port to trade with the non-islamic world. It also became the destination for caravans bringing African riches from Timbuctu.
The town-planning was entrusted to the Frenchman Théodore Cornut, disciple of Vauban, who gave the city its present look, building ramparts and straight, wide streets.
However, the end of the big caravans and the development of Casablanca caused the decline of the city and it became less and less important.
Finally, in the 20th century, after the independence of the country, the town was given the name Essaouira- 'the well designed'.
However, in the seventies, the hippies discovered the town again and it became a fashionable destination, where even pop stars of that time - Jimmy Hendrix, Cat Stevens and others - liked to stay. Fascinated by its natural beauty, the film producer Orson Welles made his famous movie 'Othello' there.
Today, Essaouira, recently classified by Unesco as part of the World Heritage, should not be missed when visiting Morocco.
Tolerance, a multi-confessional tradition, the mildness of its climate and the kindness of its inhabitants make a visit worthwhile.

festival of gnaoua essaouira
Music
Essaouira is famous for Gnaoua music, first introduced by the caravan men from Africa. The musicians play on percussion instruments (djembés) and strings (guembris), and the dancers, entranced by the rhythm, use castanets called krakeb.
Their shows or lilas are mostly organized in private circles and find their culmination at the June festival of Gnaoua music, which has become internationally famous. It is now open to other forms of music and is called Festival of World Music. In 2001, the king of raï-music Cheb Mami and in 2004, the Wailers, the former group of Bob Marley, captivated the audience on Moulay Hassan Square

bebere carpets

The local peoplulation also uses the large thicks carpets of middle atlas as matteresses decored with basic geometric .patterns triagles ; diamonds rectangles and chequers they can be either very colorful or black and white to obtain ; hardwearing thick weave and woll is woven and rewoven very tightly .by constrat the richly coloured red orange and gold carpet are purely.
ornamental the inticacy of the design is obtained with a 15 MM stitch knotted on two chain threads using the same as the employed in many cities of morocco . relatively small in size they can generally be reconnised by their distinctive border and central.
medallion some carpers also feature unusual motifs :symbolic represenations of mixture of fauna snakes scorpion centipedes and miscellaneaous objects teapots tables even portaits and landscapes are added to the traditionel red backround .finally carpets are made in the eastern of morocco and the the surrounding area of consedirable size they are predomnantly blue or green the woolen yarn is mixture of goat and camel hair dyed red with roots of the sumach plant......................