Thursday 19 February 2009

MOROCCAN WEDDING

MOROCCAN WEDDING

Morocco is the country with very rich and lively traditions, one of the charms of
North Africa. The Moroccan wedding is a great event like other cultures all over the world and is celebrated with great fun and festivity. In Morocco the traditional wedding is quite meaningful and an elaborate process. As a rule the wedding process lasts from 3 to 7 days and there are many pre-wedding ceremonies that take place before the actual wedding.

According to Moroccan traditions parents choose groom or bridegroom for their children. Before the wedding everybody sends presents and gifts to the bride. If the parents, guests and relatives can afford, they send golden jewelry, clothing, and perfumes for the bride.

Traditionally on the wedding day in Morocco the bride bathes in milk and then her hands and feet are painted with henna. Such purification process has history of more than 1200 years. But modern tradition for brides in Morocco is to apply henna to the wedding guest palms. In the night before marriage the "henna party" takes place and the older, married women share the secrets of marriage with the bride. A woman called “ neggafa “ applies all putting make up and jewelry on the bride who then can put on her wedding dress. Moroccan brides always wear elaborate traditional headpieces and veils for the wedding.

On the day of wedding plenty of food is prepared for all the guests expected and even unexpected. Traditionally the groom together with his family members, friends and relatives move towards the bridal party while singing, beating drums, and dancing. Then they all lead the groom and the bride to the bridal chamber. Sometimes the Moroccan bride circles her marriage home three times before the wedding ceremony.

Nowadays modern Moroccan weddings usually take place at big villas at night or other fascinating property that are solely rented out for weddings. The bride changes dresses and matching jewelry several times during her wedding celebration. Very often during the reception, the groom makes his way in a noisy procession accompanied by “ dqayqiyya and neggafat “ to collect his bride. When he enters the house, he is hoisted onto the shoulders of his friends or onto a horse and his bride is carried on a table “ lmida or tayfour “ This procession usually continues until the couple reaches the nuptial chamber.

During the week after wedding, the newly weds visit their relatives and friends who they invite to their new home. The festivities continue for a week or more where relatives, friends and neighbours meet to sing, dance and wish all the best to the newly married couple.

MOROCCO: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

MOROCCO: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Morocco is a supreme marvel of ancient customs and traditions. It is a land full of contrasts, colour and mystery from harsh mountains and barren deserts to magnificent beaches and modern cities. Its Mediterranean climate - hot summers and mild winters lend itself to many activities including Golf, Tennis, Riding Clubs, Water-skiing, Sailing, Scuba diving, Hunting, Hiking and Camel treks.

In Morocco, Moorish, Arab, Berber customs and traditions merge together with Islamic culture to yield a unique Moroccan mix. Whether swimming along the Mediterranean coast, touring ancient Roman and Arabic monuments, or trekking on a desert safari, Morocco offers you a unique glimpse into a timeless culture. French, Spanish English are widely spoken as well as traditional Arabic.

Morocco boasts a fantastic variation in terrain and vegetation with fertile plains near its Atlantic coast, many dramatic mountains and The Sahara Desert. Winters are mild and the summers are hot and dry.

The Moroccan food is delicious and nutritious; the most famous dish is couscous, semolina served with different vegetables and lamb. Green tea with mint is the first preferred drink of all Moroccans. From the small local snacks in the fishermen villages to the chic restaurants of the marinas, you'll be able to enjoy a large variety of seafood. There are also numerous seasonal restaurants in the region serving Moroccan and international cuisines.

The Moroccan Mediterranean experience is unique, in front of a blue-crystal Mediterranean sea and at less than 15 minutes from Europe. The capital of the Moroccan Mediterranean, Tangier, is the closest African city to Europe. Tangier unites the interests of a traditional city with its medina and souks with the ability to enjoy Magnificent sandy beaches both on the Atlantic and Mediterranean side.

Most traditional Moroccan medinas offer a good variety of craft and typical Moroccan shopping. You will like here picturesque views on the medinas, the delightful coolness of the narrow little tree-lined streets to be explored for shopping.

Morocco is really an absolute splendor where everybody is welcome to witness the hospitality of its people and their unparalleled friendliness.