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Morocco

The Door

A Chinese proverb says "The best kind of closed door is the one you can leave unlocked" and the Japanese built them in paper, those of Morocco are built in massive wood and are generally closed to the outside. They represent transition and special bonds, symbolically joining two corresponding spaces to meet and mark a decision.

 
The door is, by its aesthetics, materials and symbolism, in my opinion a good way to understand the diversity of Morocco. Usually, the door has a feminine feel while the wall carries a masculine sense.
 
A Berber I met in the south told me that the first work done in his newly purchased home of 500 years old was changing the old and fragile door. According to him a good home without a fine door is like a woman without a man, the two are complementary.
 
This sense of protection is found everywhere but in different ways. The wives of the Berber mountains of the High Atlas, spread a little of their milk around the cradles of the infants as well as the front doors to protect them from the evil spirits. The Khamsa is also believed as the protective hand clinging to the doors to repel the evil eye and bad omen, much like the horseshoe in Europe. In another region of high mountains, there are doors with drawings though the meaning is not known. The drawings commonly form broad zigzagged frames (in the shape of snakes) or fused together diamond pellets. The color, however, can represent religious affiliations, such as blue for the Jewish community in Chefchaouen or the Mellahs (former district inside the walls) of Fes or Essaouira.

Many times

Moments

Did you know...

- The university of Al-Karaouine in Fes is the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world according to UNESCO and is sometimes referred to as the oldest university in the world.

- Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the USA one year before Holland and six years before the rest of Europe.

- The Argan tree that produces expensive oil is only found in the south of Morocco.

- Morocco contains 75% of world reserve of Phosphate.

- Since 1659 the current royal family - Alaouite   has been the reigning monarch.

- The Berbers and Arabs of Morocco occupied the south of France around 40 years from year 720, then France occupied Morocco in 1912.

- Morocco was the only country in the Arab world to stand against the conquest of the Ottomans.

 

Some Tips:

- Try all the moroccan cuisine!

- Learn some Arabic or French.

- Dress properly in the rural area and around the mosques.