What is common to Anna from England, Klaus and Beata from Germany and Chris from Australia? Anna is a freelancer travelling around Morocco and writing about Moroccan food. Klaus and Beata are students who decided to go somewhere further for their student vacation. Chris is a backpacker who loves hiking and exploring different cultures. They all stayed in Riad Massin in Marrakech, a magnificent 19th-century riad, hidden in a narrow street, in the Bab Doukkala district, just 15 minutes away from the famous Jamaa El Fna square and the souks.
Riad can accommodate up to 38 guests, so there are always fellow travellers who will gladly share their company, but there is still enough space to enjoy some privacy and peace. People can relax in one of the patios with the fountain sounds or on the terrace, and enjoy the unbeatable bliss of the Red City and the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Even when the heat starts to conquer the city during spring and summer, evenings are still fresh and rooms are air-conditioned.
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Lets get back to our travellers from the beginning. So, one evening, right after she finished her article about vegetable souks of Marrakech, Anna prepared a tagine out of fresh ingredients bought that day just near the riad. She invited Klaus, Beata and Chris to join her. Klaus and Beata told their new friends about magnificent day in Marrakech, where they discovered romantic Majorelle Garden, parks around Koutoubia mosque and lovely music at Jemaa El Fna square. Chris also had some stories to share. He just came back from the hiking in the Atlas Mountains and he was passionately talking about the wonderful nature, amazing Berber people who he met in the mountain villages and divine sunset (after all, Morocco is called “The Land of the Setting Sun”). This is how Riad Massin brings together travellers – it is a place where they all gather and make all their stories into one big common memory of Marrakech and Morocco.
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Riad Massin will open its door to all people who want to experience Morocco. Its staff will prepare some fresh mint tea and always be at service. Its interior will be a perfect oasis during the hottest hours. Feel like at home and enjoy in Moroccan atmosphere and new friendships at Riad Massin!
CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE
Moroccans are extremely hospitable and very tolerant. Though most people are religious, they are generally easy-going, and most young Moroccan women don’t wear a veil, though they may well wear a headscarf. Nonetheless, you should try not to affront people’s religious beliefs, especially those of older, more conservative people, by, for example, wearing skimpy clothes, kissing and cuddling in public, or eating or smoking in the street during Ramadan.
Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women. It is true that in cities Moroccan women wear short-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts (and may suffer more harassment as a result), and men may wear sleeveless T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts. However, the Muslim idea of “modest dress” (such as would be acceptable in a mosque, for example) requires women to be covered from wrist to ankle, and men from over the shoulder to below the knee. In rural areas at least, it is a good idea to follow these codes, and definitely a bad idea for women to wear shorts or skirts above the knee, or for members of either sex to wear sleeveless T-shirts or very short shorts. Even ordinary T-shirts may be regarded as underwear, particularly in rural mountain areas. The best guide is to note how Moroccans dress locally.
When invited to a home, you normally take your shoes off before entering the reception rooms – follow your host’s lead. It is customary to take a gift: sweet pastries or tea and sugar are always acceptable, and you might even take meat (by arrangement – a chicken from the countryside for example, still alive of course) to a poorer home.
Tipping
You’re expected to tip – among others – waiters in cafés (1dh per person) and restaurants (5dh or so in moderate places, 10–15 percent in upmarket places); museum and monument curators (3–5dh); gardiens de voitures (5dh); filling station attendants (3–5dh); and porters who load your baggage onto buses (5dh). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but always appreciate one.
Mosques
Without a doubt, one of the major disappointments of travelling in Morocco if you are not Muslim is not being allowed into its mosques. The only exceptions are the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Elsewhere, if you are not a believer, you’ll have to be content with an occasional glimpse through open doors, and even in this you should be sensitive: people don’t seem to mind tourists peering into the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez (the country’s most important religious building), but in the country you should never approach a shrine too closely.
This rule applies equally to the numerous whitewashed koubbas – the tombs of marabouts, or local saints (usually domed: koubba actually means “dome”) – and the “monastic” zaouias of the various Sufi brotherhoods. It is a good idea, too, to avoid walking through graveyards, as these also are regarded as sacred places.
Women in Morocco
There is no doubt that, for women especially, travelling in Morocco is a very different experience from travelling in a Western country. One of the reasons for this is that the separate roles of the sexes are much more defined than they are in the West, and sexual mores much stricter. In villages and small towns, and even in the Medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is strictly the man’s domain. Most Moroccan men still expect to marry a virgin, and most women would never smoke a cigarette or drink in a bar, the general presumption being that only prostitutes do such things.
It should be said, however, that such ideas are gradually disappearing among the urban youth, and you will nowadays find some Moroccan women drinking in the more sophisticated bars, and even more often in cafés, which were, until quite recently, an all-male preserve. In the Villes Nouvelles of large cities, and especially in the Casa–Rabat–El Jadida area, and in Marrakesh, you’ll see most women without a veil or even a headscarf. You’ll also see young people of both sexes hanging out together, though you can be sure that opportunities for premarital sex are kept to a minimum. Even in traditional Moroccan societies, mountain Berber women, who do most of the hard work, play a much more open role in society, and rarely use a veil.
Sexual harassment
Different women seem to have vastly different experiences of sexual harassment in Morocco. Some travellers find it persistent and bothersome, while others have little or no trouble with it at all. Many women compare Morocco favourably with Spain and other parts of southern Europe, but there is no doubt that, in general, harassment of tourists here is more persistent than it is in northern Europe or the English-speaking world.
Harassment will usually consist of men trying to chat you up or even asking directly for sex, and it can be constant and sometimes intimidating. In part this is to do with Moroccan men’s misunderstanding of Western culture and sexual attitudes, and the fact that some think they can get away with taking liberties with tourists that no Moroccan woman would tolerate.
The obvious strategies for getting rid of unwanted attention are the same ones that you would use at home: appear confident and assured and you will avoid a lot of trouble. Making it clear that you have the same standards as your Moroccan counterparts will usually deter all but the most insistent of men. No Moroccan woman would tolerate being groped in the street for example, though they may often have to put up with catcalls and unwanted comments. Traditionally, Moroccan women are coy and aloof, and uninhibited friendliness – especially any kind of physical contact between sexes – may be seen as a come-on, so being polite but formal when talking to men will diminish the chances of misinterpretation. The negative side to this approach is that it can also make it harder for you to get to know people, but after you’ve been in the country for a while, you will probably develop a feel for the sort of men with whom this tactic is necessary. It is also wise not to smoke in public, as some men still seem to think this indicates that you are available for sex.
How you dress is another thing that may reduce harassment. Wearing “modest” clothes (long sleeves, long skirts, baggy rather than tight clothes) will give an impression of respectability. Wearing a headscarf to cover your hair and ears will give this impression even more. One reader told us she felt a headscarf was “the single most important item of dress”, adding that you can pull it over your face as a veil if unwanted male attention makes you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, Western liberals often forget that the purpose of wearing a veil is to protect women rather than to oppress them. However, you will notice that many Moroccan women totally ignore the traditional dress code, and do not suffer excessive harassment as a result. As for immodestly dressed women being taken for prostitutes, the fact is that actual sex workers in Morocco are often veiled from head to foot, as much to disguise their identities as anything else.
Other strategies to steer clear of trouble include avoiding eye contact, mentioning a husband who is nearby, and, if travelling with a boyfriend or just with a male friend, giving the impression that he is your husband. You should also avoid physical contact with Moroccan men, even in a manner that would not be considered sexual at home, since it could easily be misunderstood. If a Moroccan man touches you, on the other hand, he has definitely crossed the line, and you should not be afraid to make a scene. Shouting “Shooma!” (“Shame on you!”) is likely to result in bystanders intervening on your behalf, and a very uncomfortable situation for your assailant.
It is often said that women are second-class citizens in Islamic countries, though educated Muslim women are usually keen to point out that this is a misinterpretation of Islam. While sex equality has a long way to go in Morocco, in some ways, at least in theory, the sexes are not as unequal as they seem. Men traditionally rule in the street, which is their domain, the woman’s being the home. One result is that Moroccan women will receive their friends at home rather than meet them in, say, a café (although this is slowly changing) and this can make it difficult for you to get to know Moroccan women. One place where you can meet up with them is the hammam. It may also be that if you are travelling with a man, Moroccan men will address him rather than you – but this is in fact out of respect for you, not disrespect, and you will not be ignored if you join in the conversation. In any case, however interpreted, Islam most certainly does not condone sexual harassment, and nor do any respectable Moroccans. Being aware of that fact will make it seem a lot less threatening.
Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women. It is true that in cities Moroccan women wear short-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts (and may suffer more harassment as a result), and men may wear sleeveless T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts. However, the Muslim idea of “modest dress” (such as would be acceptable in a mosque, for example) requires women to be covered from wrist to ankle, and men from over the shoulder to below the knee. In rural areas at least, it is a good idea to follow these codes, and definitely a bad idea for women to wear shorts or skirts above the knee, or for members of either sex to wear sleeveless T-shirts or very short shorts. Even ordinary T-shirts may be regarded as underwear, particularly in rural mountain areas. The best guide is to note how Moroccans dress locally.
When invited to a home, you normally take your shoes off before entering the reception rooms – follow your host’s lead. It is customary to take a gift: sweet pastries or tea and sugar are always acceptable, and you might even take meat (by arrangement – a chicken from the countryside for example, still alive of course) to a poorer home.
Tipping
You’re expected to tip – among others – waiters in cafés (1dh per person) and restaurants (5dh or so in moderate places, 10–15 percent in upmarket places); museum and monument curators (3–5dh); gardiens de voitures (5dh); filling station attendants (3–5dh); and porters who load your baggage onto buses (5dh). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but always appreciate one.
Mosques
Without a doubt, one of the major disappointments of travelling in Morocco if you are not Muslim is not being allowed into its mosques. The only exceptions are the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Elsewhere, if you are not a believer, you’ll have to be content with an occasional glimpse through open doors, and even in this you should be sensitive: people don’t seem to mind tourists peering into the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez (the country’s most important religious building), but in the country you should never approach a shrine too closely.
This rule applies equally to the numerous whitewashed koubbas – the tombs of marabouts, or local saints (usually domed: koubba actually means “dome”) – and the “monastic” zaouias of the various Sufi brotherhoods. It is a good idea, too, to avoid walking through graveyards, as these also are regarded as sacred places.
Women in Morocco
There is no doubt that, for women especially, travelling in Morocco is a very different experience from travelling in a Western country. One of the reasons for this is that the separate roles of the sexes are much more defined than they are in the West, and sexual mores much stricter. In villages and small towns, and even in the Medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is strictly the man’s domain. Most Moroccan men still expect to marry a virgin, and most women would never smoke a cigarette or drink in a bar, the general presumption being that only prostitutes do such things.
It should be said, however, that such ideas are gradually disappearing among the urban youth, and you will nowadays find some Moroccan women drinking in the more sophisticated bars, and even more often in cafés, which were, until quite recently, an all-male preserve. In the Villes Nouvelles of large cities, and especially in the Casa–Rabat–El Jadida area, and in Marrakesh, you’ll see most women without a veil or even a headscarf. You’ll also see young people of both sexes hanging out together, though you can be sure that opportunities for premarital sex are kept to a minimum. Even in traditional Moroccan societies, mountain Berber women, who do most of the hard work, play a much more open role in society, and rarely use a veil.
Sexual harassment
Different women seem to have vastly different experiences of sexual harassment in Morocco. Some travellers find it persistent and bothersome, while others have little or no trouble with it at all. Many women compare Morocco favourably with Spain and other parts of southern Europe, but there is no doubt that, in general, harassment of tourists here is more persistent than it is in northern Europe or the English-speaking world.
Harassment will usually consist of men trying to chat you up or even asking directly for sex, and it can be constant and sometimes intimidating. In part this is to do with Moroccan men’s misunderstanding of Western culture and sexual attitudes, and the fact that some think they can get away with taking liberties with tourists that no Moroccan woman would tolerate.
The obvious strategies for getting rid of unwanted attention are the same ones that you would use at home: appear confident and assured and you will avoid a lot of trouble. Making it clear that you have the same standards as your Moroccan counterparts will usually deter all but the most insistent of men. No Moroccan woman would tolerate being groped in the street for example, though they may often have to put up with catcalls and unwanted comments. Traditionally, Moroccan women are coy and aloof, and uninhibited friendliness – especially any kind of physical contact between sexes – may be seen as a come-on, so being polite but formal when talking to men will diminish the chances of misinterpretation. The negative side to this approach is that it can also make it harder for you to get to know people, but after you’ve been in the country for a while, you will probably develop a feel for the sort of men with whom this tactic is necessary. It is also wise not to smoke in public, as some men still seem to think this indicates that you are available for sex.
How you dress is another thing that may reduce harassment. Wearing “modest” clothes (long sleeves, long skirts, baggy rather than tight clothes) will give an impression of respectability. Wearing a headscarf to cover your hair and ears will give this impression even more. One reader told us she felt a headscarf was “the single most important item of dress”, adding that you can pull it over your face as a veil if unwanted male attention makes you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, Western liberals often forget that the purpose of wearing a veil is to protect women rather than to oppress them. However, you will notice that many Moroccan women totally ignore the traditional dress code, and do not suffer excessive harassment as a result. As for immodestly dressed women being taken for prostitutes, the fact is that actual sex workers in Morocco are often veiled from head to foot, as much to disguise their identities as anything else.
Other strategies to steer clear of trouble include avoiding eye contact, mentioning a husband who is nearby, and, if travelling with a boyfriend or just with a male friend, giving the impression that he is your husband. You should also avoid physical contact with Moroccan men, even in a manner that would not be considered sexual at home, since it could easily be misunderstood. If a Moroccan man touches you, on the other hand, he has definitely crossed the line, and you should not be afraid to make a scene. Shouting “Shooma!” (“Shame on you!”) is likely to result in bystanders intervening on your behalf, and a very uncomfortable situation for your assailant.
It is often said that women are second-class citizens in Islamic countries, though educated Muslim women are usually keen to point out that this is a misinterpretation of Islam. While sex equality has a long way to go in Morocco, in some ways, at least in theory, the sexes are not as unequal as they seem. Men traditionally rule in the street, which is their domain, the woman’s being the home. One result is that Moroccan women will receive their friends at home rather than meet them in, say, a café (although this is slowly changing) and this can make it difficult for you to get to know Moroccan women. One place where you can meet up with them is the hammam. It may also be that if you are travelling with a man, Moroccan men will address him rather than you – but this is in fact out of respect for you, not disrespect, and you will not be ignored if you join in the conversation. In any case, however interpreted, Islam most certainly does not condone sexual harassment, and nor do any respectable Moroccans. Being aware of that fact will make it seem a lot less threatening.
Traditional dress of Morocco
North Africa having coastlines on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has tremendous culture due to the inhabitation of the multi-ethnic population. While traveling to Morocco, the colors of indigenous Berber community and Jewish and Muslim populace can easily be observed. The country is a reasonably huge country and its every part has its own cultural recognition.
A Berber woman in her traditional dress
The Moroccan society is not conservative because Morocco is a peaceful and tourist friendly country. Morocco has no particular rules and regulation about the clothing but the Moroccans have kept alive the custom to wear the traditional dress of Morocco.
A random capture of the Moroccons in their traditional dresses
Moroccans are overall a stylish and smart nation and they prefer to dress up with fashionable and impressive clothing. Both men and women wear a same traditional attire which is called djellaba; a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves.
A Moroccon girl wearing traditional dress
The women of Morocco also wear Caftan or Kaftan which is without a hood unlike the djellaba. This dress is particularly decorated with the typical woman embroidery upon the dress openings and arms. Kaftan is usually worn on the festive occasions and wedding ceremonies by the Moroccan women.
The Moroccon bride in her traditional wedding dress
Another traditional cloak made with a delicate fabric and mostly in white color is known as “Haik” which is used by the Moroccan village women. In addition to that Gandora is also used by the Moroccan women which have heavy and fancy stitching and adornments.
A pretty Moroccon woman dressed up with the ceremonial dress - ReebA's photo
For all of the Moroccan women the bright colored silks and other dainty fabrics are favorites. The craftsmen and tailors apply their special skills to make the women dresses attractive and graceful. The women of high class also use a traditional belt which has golden embroidery and exquisite decorations along the edges.
A Moroccon man wearing the traditional outfit and Fez
Traditional Moroccan clothes
- 1. Moroccan people are proud of having agreat and varied cultural heritage that isthe result of the ethnic variation of Moroccan society. Traditional Moroccan clothes are an important part of thisheritage. In this article, I will mention sometypes of traditional clothes that are famousin this wonderful country.We have two main types of traditionalclothes:
- 2. Moroccan clothes are traditionally rich and varied - variety offabrics, shapes and colors expressing a certain art of draping -Moroccan costume for man or woman comes by local culturesof each region or each social group.
- 3. We have two main types oftraditional clothes:Mens Clothes :On the one hand, we have clothes for men,which are considered as a compulsorycondition to be fulfilled on all Moroccanspecial occasions, such as wedding parties,the Aids, and circumcision parties.We can find many kinds of these clothes:the djellaba, a long, loosely fitting hoodedouter robe with full sleeves, the terbouch ortarbush, a red felt hat in the shape of atruncated cone, and the belgha baboosh orleather sleepers. Also, there is the derraa, theSahrawi traditional male clothes consisting ofa long loose shirt of blue cotton.
- 4. FRUIT OF MEN’S WEAR
- 5. BELGHABabouche orsleepersYou want to try it?
- 6. Women Clothes :On the other hand, we have clothes for women, which areconsidered as essential to their elegance and beauty. There aremany kinds of womens clothes, such as the caftan, a longgarment with wide loose sleeves, fastened in the front with arow of small buttons usually made of silk braid, of Andalusianorigin.The caftan or kaftan has become one of the most famousMoroccan dresses for women, although it used to be special formen, and it has witnessed many changes in order to make itmore modern and more practical.There is also the takchita, which consists of Dfina, in which wecan find many colors, and Thtya, in which we can find onlyone color. There is the djellaba as well, which also haswitnessed many modern touches.In addition to these, we can find some Amazigh clothes, suchas the ahayk, the tabizart, the tatrft or the laktib and, finally, wehave the mlahfa, which is common among Saharan womenand which covers the whole body except face and hands.
- 7. CHIC AND SPECIAL
- 8. DO YOU LIKE IT
- 9. SO WHAT NEXT
- 10. AM I A PRINCESS ?
- 11. Chedda is the traditional wedding dress from noth Morocco (Tetouan, Tangiers,Larache, Asilah, Chaouen etc). Its said that this dress was brought to Moroccoby the Andalucian immigrants when they left Andalucia during the 15th century.The chedda is slightly different from a city to another.
- 12. Morocco is a country rich in history, traditions, people, and culture. Every part of theseaspects influences how Moroccan people are dressed. Among the variety of clothes you willfind in Morocco. The Djellaba and Gandora are the most common of Moroccan clothes.Thesefine garments speak of the luxurious clothing style of the country.WELCOME TOMOROCCO LAND OFDREAMS
Clothing in Morocco
Morocco is a rich country in terms of history, traditions, people,culture, religion, climate, geography and so forth. Every one of these aspects of the country influences how Moroccan people are dressed. Among the variety ofclothes in Morocco, we find the djellaba and kaftan, two fine garments that speak of the luxurious clothing style of the country.
If you are walking down the streets of any city of Morocco, you will certainly see some men and women wearing long and loose hooded gowns over their normal clothing. This garment is called the djellaba. It covers the entire body except for the head, the hands and the feet.
The djellaba for women is different than the one for men in style and purpose. Women wear a djellaba for different reasons. First of all, it is a very comfortable and aesthetically appealing. Second, it is a modest garment to wear in a Muslim country. Some women accompany it by wearing a scarf around their neck or head. It is also worn when visiting the family on a religious holiday.
Men usually only wear a djellaba on special occasions, sometimes topped with the famous Moroccan red cap, called a fez or tarbouche, and yellow leather slippers, known as baboush or belgha. The woman’s djellaba is more colorful compared to the man’s, and nowadays djellabas are becoming shorter and slimmer. There are verses of the Koran that mention the djellaba as a garment to be worn by Muslim women. A djellaba is mostly worn outside the house and there are djellabas for every day as well as for special occasions.
The kaftan refers to the Moroccan garment that looks like the djellaba but without a hood. The origins of the kaftan go back to the Ottoman Empire, as it was one of the finest Ottoman clothing worn by the elite. Like other garments, it has gone through changes over the years.
In Morocco, women wear it during special occasions like a wedding. The kaftan is the basic garment of the bride on her wedding day. It is also worn under a takshita, which is another beautifully decorated gown with traditional, hand-made buttons on the front, wide sleeves and a thick belt worn around the waist. As opposed to a djellaba, a kaftan is not worn outside the house.
As a foreigner in Morocco, you can wear any type of traditional Moroccan clothing. It is perfectly acceptable and even well appreciated. In winter, a man can wear a woolen djellaba over his clothes to keep warm. And, if a woman has invited people over to celebrate a holiday, she can put on a kaftan to receive her guests.
Moroccan Clothes
Moroccan Clothes
Moroccan clothes are traditionally rich and varied - variety of fabrics, shapes and colors expressing a certain art of draping - Moroccan costume for man or woman comes by local cultures of each region or each social group.
Two major trends emerge, namely the urban dress and country dress, in both cases the use of various devices is used to enhance the look and divert the attention of potential weaknesses of the body.
The constant among men is wearing a Djellaba which is a loose clothing. Woolen fabric or lightweight, it is equipped with long wide sleeves and a hood.
Similarly, there is Silham or Burnous, solid color, black or white, borne on the Djellaba with hood.
Under Djellaba they wear the Caftan which is a long dress with no collar, long sleeves, closed at the front of many embroidered buttons.
For the head, Tarbouch as head covering for the urban and Razza for the country and Rural belgha (babouch, slippers) in both cases.
Moroccan clothes for women are also diverse.
The Haik, a sort of cloak of fine cloth large and white, is the rule especially in rural areas, and in certain regions. When you leave the city, you will see increasingly rural women in the female version of the djellaba.
They usually wear the Qmis(long jacket) underneath, a lightweight fabric covering a seroual (baggy pants).
The caftan and Mansouria fabric are the usual two long dresses for women. TheMoroccan kaftan or caftan is for celebration and special occasions. This dress highlights the femininity with a bonus: it combines the splendor and elegance because of the meticulous production.
Fine fabrics and brightly colored silks are the traditional fashion. The tailors put their skill and art to create the sumptuous dress.
GOLD embroidery, silver, contours and ends delicately decorated, all returning a sensation of richness and femininity.
A belt embroidered with silk thread or GOLD(or at least among wealthy women, silver or solid gold) shakes the Caftan size.This coat, has always been a source of inspiration throughout the world. 
Moroccan Clothing Shop
Morocco is a country rich in history, traditions, people, and culture. Every part of these aspects influences how Moroccan people are dressed. Among the variety of clothes you will find in Morocco. The Djellaba and Gandora are the most common of Moroccan clothes.These fine garments speak of the luxurious clothing style of the country.
The djellaba, a typical robe that you cannot miss from the very first few seconds after arriving in Morocco. According to the many people we have met who have professed to be experts in many areas, there are three basic types of djellaba for men and two basic everyday options for women. For both sexes, the machzania or "government" djellaba is the most common throughout the country.
For Moroccan clothes for the men, there are also the northern and the southern djellaba, and for the women there is the kaftan. Iislamic religion of Morocco is also a key factor in the way that Moroccan people dress. The djellaba covers the whole body and is therefore an acceptable modest outfit.
The Gandora unlike the djellaba dosn't have a hood,and normally has short sleeves.
This Gandora has strong embroidery on the neck and sleeve openings,a pocket on one side and a slit on the other. Like the Djellaba the Gandora of all Moroccan clothes is a very traditional moroccan garment.
The traditional dress
The traditional dress for men is called a djellaba, a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called tarboosh and mostly referred to as Fez. Nearly all men wear babouches soft leather slippers with no heel, commonly in yellowbut also in many colours.
Many women do as well but others wear high-heeled sandals, often in silver or GOLD tinsel.
The distinction is the djellabas has a hood, while a Gandora does not. The women?s djellabas are mostly of bright colors with ornate patterns, stitching, or beading, while men wear djellabas in plainer, neutral colors. Women are strongly attached to their Moroccan clothes or "Moroccan wardrobe", despite the financial costs involved.
The production of such garments is relatively expensive, as most of the work is done by hand. Despite the costs involved most women purchase a minimum of one new kaftan or "tk'chita" every year, normally for a special, social event, such as a religious festival or a wedding. Nowadays, it is an unwritten rule that Moroccan dress is worn at such events.
The origins of the fez, or "tarboosh" in Morocco, is not clear. The design may have come from ancient Greece or the Balkans. In the 19th Century it gained wide acceptance when the Ottoman rulers moved to modernize traditional costumes.
Business Etiquette and Protocol in Morocco
. Moroccans prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore expect to spend time cultivating a personal relationship before business is conducted.
. Who you know is more important than what you know, so it is important to network and cultivate a number of contacts who may then assist you in working your way through the serpentine bureaucracy.
. Expect to be served mint tea whenever you meet someone, as this demonstrates hospitality.
. Moroccan business practices have been greatly influenced by the French and emphasize courtesy and a degree of formality.
. Since Moroccans judge people on appearances, dress and present yourself well.
Business Meeting Etiquette
. Appointments are necessary and should be made as far in advance as possible and confirmed a day or two before the meeting.
. It is best to avoid scheduling meetings during Ramadan since Muslims cannot eat or drink during the day.
. Never try to schedule meetings on Friday between 11:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. since most companies close for prayers.
. Try to arrive at meetings on time and be prepared to wait. Moroccan businesspeople who are accustomed to dealing with international companies often strive to arrive on time, although it is often difficult for them to do so in such a relationship driven culture.
. In general, Moroccans have an open-door policy, even during meetings. This means you may experience frequent interruptions. Others may even wander into the room and start a different discussion. You may join in, but do not try to bring the topic back to the original discussion until the new person leaves.
. French is generally the language of business, although some companies use English. Check which language your meeting will be conducted in, so you know if you should hire an interpreter.
Business Negotiations
. Companies are hierarchical. The highest ranking person makes decisions, but only after obtaining a group consensus.
. Decisions are reached after great deliberation.
. If the government is involved, discussions will take even longer since the ministers of several departments must often give approval.
. Moroccans are looking for long-term business relationships.
. Do not criticize anyone publicly. It is important that you do not cause your Moroccan business associates to lose face.
. Moroccans are non-confrontational. They may agree in meetings rather than cause you to lose face.
. Expect a fair amount of haggling. Moroccans seldom see an offer as final.
. Decisions are made slowly. Do not try to rush the process, as it would be interpreted as an insult.
. The society is extremely bureaucratic. Most decisions require several layers of approval.
. It may take several visits to accomplish simple tasks.
. Do not use high-pressure tactics as they will work against you.
. Moroccans can be deliberate and forceful negotiators.
Dress Etiquette
. Business attire is formal and conservative.
. Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits to the initial meeting.
. Women should wear elegant business suits, dresses or pantsuits.
. Women must be careful to cover themselves appropriately. Skirts and dresses should cover the knee and sleeves should cover most of the arm.
. Avoid wearing expensive accessories.
Business Cards
. Business cards are given without formal ritual.
. Have one side of your card translated into French or Arabic.
. Present your card so the translated side faces the recipient.
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