A Trek Through Moroccan Culture and History By Tony Maniscalco At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Morocco is situated in North Africa, on the Atlantic Ocean and extending into the Mediterranean Sea. With a diverse landscape and rich culture, it is the perfect country to explore on foot. Morocco treks are becoming increasingly popular, and people are beginning to see the value in discovering its beauty on Morocco hiking holidays.

Known for its wildlife biodiversity, you can enjoy spotting over 450 species of bird whilst on a Moroccan hiking holiday. You can explore Mediterranean and coniferous forests, Montane grasslands and shrublands, and the stretching desert of the Northern Sahara on your Morocco trek.

You can venture into the exciting cities too, mingling with the locals and engaging in age-old traditions. The capital city, Rabat, is buzzing with energy, and the largest city, Casablanca, is known worldwide for its rich culture. On a Moroccan hiking holiday, stopping off in the cities to spend some time getting to know the culture will add great depth to your holiday.

Moroccan Art

Morocco is known for its dynamic art, and taking the time to have a look at it will be well worth your while on a Morocco hiking holiday. You can spend hours in museums gazing at the spectacular historical artwork, or admire the local artwork in galleries and souks (local markets). Or simply wander the streets and take in the brightly coloured creations of the locals, from carpets to clothing and calligraphy.

If you time your Morocco trek holiday well, you can combine it with the annual Marrakech international art festival. You can spend your mornings exploring the beautiful terrain, and go into Marrakech to enjoy this celebration of international culture.

Moroccan Cultural Etiquette

It might be worthwhile to learn a bit about the cultural etiquette of the society you are visiting, so that you are welcomed and respected by the friendly Moroccan community when on your Morocco trek. When not exploring the wilderness, spend an afternoon shopping at one of the many souks across the country. You can haggle with the locals and try and find a bargain, or simply enjoy the busy atmosphere of the market.

The communities are very friendly and welcoming, and you may well start to make friends with the locals while on your Morocco hiking holiday. It’s important to remember to observe the local cultural etiquette so as not to offend your new found friends. Taking pictures while sightseeing that include the local people is fine, but you need to get their permission first. People in rural communities in particular may find it offensive to be included in a photo without being asked first, even if it was the scenery you were trying to capture.

If you’re lucky, during the course of your Moroccan hiking holiday you will be invited for dinner at the house of a local. There are certain customs it would be worthwhile remembering in a situation like this. For a start, Moroccans generally remove their shoes when indoors, so observe the behaviour of your host and follow suit.

Another important custom to observe is to bring a gift. If you’re visiting a city-dweller, common gifts are pastries or sugar, but if you’re visiting someone who lives in the countryside, in particular poorer communities, bringing a live chicken will be greatly appreciated. A dinner invitation is a great opportunity to experience the local food, and a traditional home-cooked meal would be most welcome at the end of a day outdoors on a Morocco trek.

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