| #1RalofTyrNov 02, 2009 18:46:30 | I read a book about modern Moroco, here's my notes.
Arabs and Berbers.
Arabs dominate the city whereas the Berbers dominate the country side.
Each look at each other with contempt.
The Arabs are too decadant and the berbers are "Hicks".
The cities are modern, fast and sophisticated.
The rural areas are slow, conservative and traditional.
Numerous Cafes.
Cafes are the central points here.
It is public/private. One my pick up the tab like a guest, but one may come and go as one pleases and everyone is out for themselves.
Cigarettes on a Cafe table are communal property.
Heavy smoking in a Cafe.
Women who smoke in cafes are considered prostitutes and any women in a bar.
Men and women segrigated when they are boys and girls.
The streets are considered public and everyone's out for themselves.
The streets belong to men. That's their space.
In the home, they let their guard down and in private space, things are relaxed.
All public spaces are segregated. One for men and one for women.
There is some racial prejudice, but not as bad as in some western countries.
Bars are seedy places.
Large number of military personell around.
Five langauges spoken; Arabic, Berber, French, English and Spanish.
Arabic is the official language.
Speaking French is a sign of education and used in commerce.
Berber is is usually spoken by Berbers at home or in the country.
English is know, but few use it.
Spanish is in the north.
Sometimes, Arabic and French will be mixed together.
A community of Jews
Large number of dark skinned who are of african descent, but claim to be either Arab or Berber.
Social Classes.
The top are wealthy who own enough not to work. You rarely see them as they stay on their estates.
Second, are the factory owners and suppliers who own vast amounts of wealth.
Education is very important and the educated, usually foreign, are at the bottom end of the upper class.
The middle class are shop keepers and tradesmen.
The lower classes are farm laborers, factory workers, servants etc.
The lowest end are beggars.
There is a group of people that claim descendance from Mohammad, they don't work, but pray and receive alms.
Sex can only be between a man and a woman. There's no such thing as lesbianism and there is a large number of homosexuals, but no homosexual community. Relationships between older men and boys common.
Arab surnames end in "i" whereas Berber surnames end with "ou" or "an".
Most names follow the French way for record keeping. LAST, First.
Men and women take their father's last name.
Marriage, a women doesn't change her last name.
Jewelry is a display of wealth.
Prefer a one on one same sex friendship that doesn't end with marriage.
Friends are to provide support
Favoritism and nepoism the norm.
*French is the language of the government
*Large number of French industrialists here. |