Morocco

Moroccan Dance and Music

Everywhere you go around the world, music reflects the heartbeat of the culture.  I enjoy watching musical performances because it brings me closer to the spirit of the people.  My playlist of global radio stations includes all types of music from all the continents.

This clip from Morocco shows an Arabic style of music and dance.  Even if I can’t understand the language, I can appreciate the rhythms and movements.    

It is very interesting to me how music blends rhythms from across the globe.  The increase of  international artists “crossing-over” into popular or mainstream music demonstrates how we are changing our musical perspectives.  Lately we’ve had a lot of hispanic influences, I’ll keep listening for an Arabic sound like in this video.

This week in America, our Grammy Music awards will recognize the popular music of 2009.  As I watch the ceremony I will consider how the artists and styles represent American culture.   It’s not only the music, but also the fashions and tributes to legends that makeup this exciting event.

From Country to Rap, the best of the best will be showcased.  The new artist category is probably my favorite because I like finding new bands.  The Grammy’s are favorite awards show – let me know which artists are your favorites!   Joy

A Look Inside Exotic Marrakesh

This video is amazing, it’s like walking around Marrakesh.  You can see the market, listen to the music, shop, dance and see inside a few beautiful Riads.

To quote my friends at Jet Set Life, “Marrakech is different than you’d expect and is a great spot to take your first steps into Africa and taste the “middle eastern-like” culture with a French flair!”

There are so many cultural references in the video, I couldn’t begin to write about it. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this video says it all.

Let’s think about this, how can we bring it home and incorporate Morocco into our lives?  Personally,  I think I’ll go for the shoes!  I couldn’t believe that shop with shoes in every color and size. They were all hand made and very sparkly. Why do I always wear plain black shoes? How boring is that?

It’s time to go shopping and get something worthy of a Moroccan Princess.  I have noticed many beaded scarves and fancy earrings at our stores recently…  Let’s incorporate that style into our wardrobes and feel like we are in Marrakesh.  Happy shopping! Joy

Design Reflects A Culture

Traditional Architectural Design

When you visit Morocco you can’t help notice the design of buildings and detail in the mosaics.  The architectural style is a reflection of the mix of cultures influencing artists since the first century.

Previously the Phoenicians and Romans controlled the Northern African region.  As time passed, the Berbers, who were the native people of the Atlas Mountains adapted Islam and Arabic culture became dominate in the land.    In 788 (yes, over 1,200 years ago!)  the first Islamic State was formed by Moulay Idriss I, the Idrisside Dynasty began in Fez, Morocco.

“What is beautiful is never too expensive. What is glorious has no price”. Thus spoke the Merinid Sultan Abu Inan when he was presented with the final costs of the monumental Bou Inaniya, a medersa or religious Muslim academy, that he had built in his capital, Fez, in the 14th century.

I won’t continue the history lesson, you know it goes back and forth with battles between Spain and Morocco.  What happened is a mix of cultural influences on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar.

One example is a Riad, which is a traditional house or palace with an interior garden, modeled after the Roman courtyard dwellings.  The Riad is inward focused allowing privacy and protection from the weather.  The interior gardens and open roof provided air and light which is lacking in a mud brick wall construction.

Entrance to these houses is a major transitional experience and encourages reflection because all of the rooms open into the central atrium space.  In the garden there are often orange or lemon trees and possibly a fountain.  The interior walls are decorated with intricate geometric mosaic tiles.

The Moroccan culture is rich and diverse – Spanish, Italian, French, Arabic, African, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic.  Each region possesses its own uniqueness, contributing to the national culture.   Today, Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

In celebration of that diversity, I am going to bring Moroccan Design into my home.  While I can’t rebuild my home, I can bring a fountain and mosaic tiles onto my back patio.  The geometric patterns are mesmerizing and yet calming, the blue and black on white is spectacular.  I’ve got the citrus trees, maybe a little belly dancing music… What do you think?  Can you incorporate this design into your life?

Patterned Mosaic Tiles