TODAY'S BOWL OF DCHICHA
The dancing is a little more appealing than the music here for me. A tad repetitive on the beat, you're mostly just expected to shake what your mama gave you. Versions of this can be found day and night. People form a circle, and sit on benches around the edges while others spotlight themselves in the middle. A little Spanish stepping and clapping, African rumping, and both genders having fun.
The Sufi music in the video below is quite famous. Both for its history of the Islamic mystics and the mix of sound and lyrics. Sufi music in Morocco seems to be more concentrated in Fez, a few hours from Marrakech. Going to need to make my way over soon. Where else can I see men twirling in skirts?! All irreverance aside, it is a mystical sound based on the religious and psychological teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan.. Though mystics don't claim that Sufism is a religion or cult, but recognizing all religions, it can't really be called a religion as we know it.
As I'm reading 'The Arabian Nights', right now, funny enough they talk about the Sufis, then called Magians or Zoroastrians' from ancient Persia. Based on the dualities of good and evil, light and dark. It also reminds me of the trance state of the whirling dervishes from the 'Book of the Dead', correct me if I'm wrong on that, since its been a while since that reading.
Well, Sufism doesn't sound so bad, and the music is lovely. In the past week I've met Muslims, Suni's, Sufi's and just had someone yesterday ask me if I was Mormon. Wtf? In context, it was after revealing I was born in Utah. Won't do that again.
Enough about "religion". Let's dance! Do you think I can borrow a skirt?
TIPS ON THE SQUARE:
1. Carry lots of small coins for kids, beggars, and giving a few to the snake charmers, and musicians
(2-10 DH is cool)
2. Don't feel obligated to give coins to everyone. There are a lot of beggars here, including very small children.
3. Carry a handful of small candies to give them instead.
4. Learn a few key phrases in Arabic: "Laysa 3indee foloss" = I don't have money or "3indee La Shaya" = I have nothing or "La Ureed" = I don't want that.
5. Don't be bothered by pressing shop keepers. Instead walk behind a big group of toursits. You won't even be noticed.
6. Any price for henna, and artisian crafts in the square you will be asked to pay too much. Offer a price and stick to it. Be fair, but real.
7. Don't give them your money before they have produced the change. I've been taken for that one before long ago, and after they have your money in hand they claim to have no change and scat off with your bill, probably way more than you wanted to pay.
8. Pick up souvenirs on more side streets, for less pressurized sales, and better prices.
9. Exchange your currency off the main sqaure. Shop the difference.
10. Though a Muslim country and conservative especially for women. You can wear what you wish in Marrakech. However if you are alone, you will be commented on. If you are in a group or with a man, no issue. Tourists here dress according the very hot weather, and many time with almost nothing on.(personally I go for a little more coverage because I do travel alone) Coming from living in a previously tropical area where wearing almost nothing didn't matter, this is a change.
11. Take photos. Its a free country. Every Moroccan will ask you for money for a photo, but this is your travel and/or vacation, and taking appropriate photos is fine. With respect, taking them directly of certain people is another aspect, and I would suggest trying to ask them or talk to them, if you want their photo. (probably pay $2 dollars) Don't mind the occasional F*#k You, from locals. This literally happened when I refused to pay for a photo down the corridor of a main strip of the souk.....Who was I supposed to pay? All the several shops in the line in the photo? On a public street? Bollocks!
More on Moroccan soups if you're interested @ About http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/soupsandappetizers/r/harira_recipe.htm and the favorite foods to prepare for Ramaddan http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/ramadanspecialoccasions/tp/List_of_Ramadan_Recipes.htm
More on Moroccan Sufis @ Travel http://www.travel-exploration.com/subpage.cfm/Sufi_Cultural_Festival
Soup. Soup has traditionally been a mix of whatever is availalble. Porrige, stew, casserole type, stock. In liquid form.Throw it all in!
Dchicha is a classic Morroccan cracked wheat soup. Head lining today, simply because this post is just a mix of whatever......so let's pretend that though not traditionally, we are going to have our cracked wheat "soup" and throw in some paprika, cumin, anise, safron and garlic. Can't imagine those are good all together, but let's hope this post is a good mix of entertaiment for you.
You've probably become more familair with the square here. The main square literally named for the gathering of the arts. Djemaa Al Fna. Here are a few videos to enjoy some free entertainment typically found in the square.
The dancing is a little more appealing than the music here for me. A tad repetitive on the beat, you're mostly just expected to shake what your mama gave you. Versions of this can be found day and night. People form a circle, and sit on benches around the edges while others spotlight themselves in the middle. A little Spanish stepping and clapping, African rumping, and both genders having fun.
The Sufi music in the video below is quite famous. Both for its history of the Islamic mystics and the mix of sound and lyrics. Sufi music in Morocco seems to be more concentrated in Fez, a few hours from Marrakech. Going to need to make my way over soon. Where else can I see men twirling in skirts?! All irreverance aside, it is a mystical sound based on the religious and psychological teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan.. Though mystics don't claim that Sufism is a religion or cult, but recognizing all religions, it can't really be called a religion as we know it.
As I'm reading 'The Arabian Nights', right now, funny enough they talk about the Sufis, then called Magians or Zoroastrians' from ancient Persia. Based on the dualities of good and evil, light and dark. It also reminds me of the trance state of the whirling dervishes from the 'Book of the Dead', correct me if I'm wrong on that, since its been a while since that reading.
Well, Sufism doesn't sound so bad, and the music is lovely. In the past week I've met Muslims, Suni's, Sufi's and just had someone yesterday ask me if I was Mormon. Wtf? In context, it was after revealing I was born in Utah. Won't do that again.
Enough about "religion". Let's dance! Do you think I can borrow a skirt?
TIPS ON THE SQUARE:
1. Carry lots of small coins for kids, beggars, and giving a few to the snake charmers, and musicians
(2-10 DH is cool)
2. Don't feel obligated to give coins to everyone. There are a lot of beggars here, including very small children.
3. Carry a handful of small candies to give them instead.
4. Learn a few key phrases in Arabic: "Laysa 3indee foloss" = I don't have money or "3indee La Shaya" = I have nothing or "La Ureed" = I don't want that.
5. Don't be bothered by pressing shop keepers. Instead walk behind a big group of toursits. You won't even be noticed.
6. Any price for henna, and artisian crafts in the square you will be asked to pay too much. Offer a price and stick to it. Be fair, but real.
7. Don't give them your money before they have produced the change. I've been taken for that one before long ago, and after they have your money in hand they claim to have no change and scat off with your bill, probably way more than you wanted to pay.
8. Pick up souvenirs on more side streets, for less pressurized sales, and better prices.
9. Exchange your currency off the main sqaure. Shop the difference.
10. Though a Muslim country and conservative especially for women. You can wear what you wish in Marrakech. However if you are alone, you will be commented on. If you are in a group or with a man, no issue. Tourists here dress according the very hot weather, and many time with almost nothing on.(personally I go for a little more coverage because I do travel alone) Coming from living in a previously tropical area where wearing almost nothing didn't matter, this is a change.
11. Take photos. Its a free country. Every Moroccan will ask you for money for a photo, but this is your travel and/or vacation, and taking appropriate photos is fine. With respect, taking them directly of certain people is another aspect, and I would suggest trying to ask them or talk to them, if you want their photo. (probably pay $2 dollars) Don't mind the occasional F*#k You, from locals. This literally happened when I refused to pay for a photo down the corridor of a main strip of the souk.....Who was I supposed to pay? All the several shops in the line in the photo? On a public street? Bollocks!
More on Moroccan soups if you're interested @ About http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/soupsandappetizers/r/harira_recipe.htm and the favorite foods to prepare for Ramaddan http://moroccanfood.about.com/od/ramadanspecialoccasions/tp/List_of_Ramadan_Recipes.htm
More on Moroccan Sufis @ Travel http://www.travel-exploration.com/subpage.cfm/Sufi_Cultural_Festival
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