Author: Trips Around Morocco

What are the greatest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?” Would you believe this is one of the most commonly asked questions by potential Trips around Morocco tourists when arranging their vacation to Morocco? Trips around Morocco is excited to share our Top 7 Best Places to Ride a Camel in Morocco right now! The countdown has begun!

1- Visit Merzouga and ride a camel (Erg Chebbi dunes)

Erfoud is the starting point for Sahara treks into Merzouga, the same as Zagora is for Sahara tours in that area (Erg Chebbi dunes). Merzouga is accessible from both Fes and Marrakech and is frequently included as part of a Sahara Desert vacation in Morocco. It is a wonderful route to travel between these two old Moroccan imperial capitals, with breathtaking scenery at every turn.

In Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes), where can you ride a camel?

Riding a camel in Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) is most commonly done as part of a Sahara desert inn or desert camp stay.

Why is Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) among the top 7 greatest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?

Please start the drums! Because you’ll be in the Sahara Desert, Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) takes the top rank on our list of the 7 greatest places to ride a camel in Morocco. Because Merzouga is the only place in Morocco where you can ride a camel with well-developed tourism infrastructure, you have a wide range of options for a camel ride, from basic and rustic desert inns and camps to rock-star “glamping” (“glamorous camping”) at deluxe and luxury hotels and desert camps!

2- Near Zagora / M’hamid, ride a camel (Erg Chigaga dunes)

In the Draa River Valley, Zagora is about a day’s travel southeast of Marrakech. It serves as the starting point for Sahara Desert hikes to the Erg Chigaga dunes near M’hamid, Zagora region. Tamegroute’s rustic green ceramics is well-known in the area.

In Zagora / M’Hamid (Erg Chigaga dunes), where can you ride a camel?

Riding a camel in Zagora / M’Hamid (Erg Chigaga dunes) is most commonly done as part of a desert camp stay. We recommend arranging a Sahara desert tent as far into the sand dunes as possible, rather than simply around Zagora, for the finest experience. You should check with them to see if a camel ride is included and how long the ride will go.

Why are the Erg Chigaga dunes in Zagora / M’Hamid among the top 7 greatest places to ride a camel in Morocco?

Because it is in the Sahara Desert, Zagora / M’Hamid (Erg Chigaga dunes) comes in second on our list of the 7 greatest places to ride a camel in Morocco. The views are amazing as you go from Marrakech across the dazzling and occasionally stomach-churning Tizi n’Tichka High Atlas Mountain pass.

Because this is a popular site for camel rides in Morocco, you’ll have a variety of options for lodging. Because its sand dunes aren’t as impressive as Merzouga’s, Zagora / M’Hamid (Erg Chigaga dunes) isn’t ranked first (Erg Chebbi dunes). We recommend breaking up the travel between Marrakech and Zagora with an overnight stop due to its distant position.

3- Go camel riding in Dakhla

Dakhla is a Moroccan tourist attraction on the rise. It is situated in Morocco’s far south-western region, along the Atlantic Ocean, and is close to the Mauritania border. Dakhla is famed for its wind, which attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers from all over the world to participate in these activities, particularly in the beautiful lagoon! Did we mention how windy it is? You’ll want to keep your hat on if you don’t want to lose it!

In Dakhla, where can you ride a camel?

In Dakhla, the easiest method to ride a camel is to book it as an activity, which is usually done through a kite and surf camp.

Why is Dakhla one of the top seven finest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?

Because you will be riding a camel at the westernmost point of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, Dakhla is ranked third on our list of the 7 greatest places to ride a camel in Morocco. Warning: this article contains spoilers. The Sahara Desert is home to our top three favorite camel rides in Morocco.

We were amazed to see herds of wild roaming camels when we visited Dakhla, thus we appreciate the fact that camels flourish here. Most private trips to Morocco do not include Dakhla as a destination because it is rather remote from the most popular tourism sites in Morocco, such as Chefchaouen, Fes, and Marrakech, although it is accessible by a short flight from Casablanca or Agadir.

4- In the Agafay Desert, ride a camel.

The Agafay Desert is not part of the Sahara Desert, despite its name. The Agafay Desert is regarded as a “stone desert” and is sometimes described as “moon-like,” so you won’t see the Sahara’s spectacular golden sand dunes. Because Agafay is not far from Marrakech, it is an accessible choice for camel rides and desert experiences for travelers who may not have time to visit the Sahara.

In the Agafay Desert, where can you ride a camel?

Agafay has seen a surge in tourism in recent years, with many luxury desert sites springing up. They may give transportation to and from Marrakech as well as premium tents with stunning but rocky views of the Agafay Desert. A camel ride is generally included in the desert overnight experience at these camps, so make sure to ask if it is!

Why is the Agafay Desert one of the top seven finest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?

Because it’s a camel ride in a desert, but not the Sahara, Agafay Desert ranks fourth on our list of the finest places to ride a camel in Morocco. It can be enjoyable to “leave” the hustle and bustle of Marrakech and spend time in nature. Many of Agafay’s campgrounds are considered luxury camps, yet there are still plenty of photo possibilities!

5- Camel Riding in Marrakech

Marrakech, one of Morocco’s old imperial capitals, is a popular tourist destination for both high-profile celebrities and adventurous tourists. Marrakech is famed for being the gateway to the Sahara Desert, so it’s only natural that you’ll see camel rides here.

In Marrakech, where can you ride a camel?

There are a few sites in Marrakech where you can ride a camel. Several camel drivers frequent the parking area near Menara Garden, hoping to persuade you into a camel ride! Check out a camel ride in the Palmeraie for a more distinctive and unusual photo opportunity (Palm Grove). Your hotel or riad may be able to organize a half-day tour, or you can compare options on websites like Tripadvisor. This tour frequently includes transportation to and from the Palmeraie, breakfast or a snack with mint tea, and, of course, a camel to ride!

Why is Marrakech one of the top seven finest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?

If you’re looking for things to do in Marrakech, we’ve ranked it as the 5th greatest site to ride a camel in Morocco because, quite simply, we adore the photo opportunities! It’s as though you’re riding a camel through a desert paradise, complete with palm trees and sand! In addition, the Palmeraie (Palm Grove) in Marrakech offers longer camel rides than the other destinations mentioned above.

6- Camel riding in Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautifully picturesque village on the Atlantic Ocean; its medina, one of several, is bright with white-washed walls. Essaouira is a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively, about 2.5-3 hours from crowded Marrakech. Essaouira is well-known for traditional surfing and kitesurfing, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also one of the best spots in Morocco to ride a camel!

Where can you ride a camel in Essaouira?

In Essaouira, you may ride a camel on the main beach. Before you book a camel ride, make sure you know how much it will cost and how long it will last.

Why is Essaouira one of the top seven destinations in Morocco to ride a camel?

Because a camel’s natural habitat is not on a beach, Essaouira is ranked sixth on our list of the best places to ride a camel in Morocco. However, the photos you can take are 110 percent Christmas card worthy. Imagine yourself sitting proudly on top of the camel, with the beach’s tan sand, the blues of the Atlantic, and the view of the medina and kasbah walls in the background.

7- Camel riding in Tangier

Tangier has historically occupied a strategic location on the Gibraltar Strait, which connects Europe and Africa as well as the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. We know Tangier isn’t near the Moroccan Sahara Desert, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of spotting a camel or two in this Moroccan port city!

In Tangier, where can you ride a camel?

In Tangier, on the city’s outskirts, you can ride a camel. You will leave the city and travel to Hercules’ Cave. You’ll encounter camel drivers along the journey and on the beach. Before you saddle the camel, we recommend haggling about the price and duration of the trip.

Why is Tangier one of the top seven finest spots in Morocco to ride a camel?

Riding a camel in Tangier is a terrific alternative for those who are taking the ferry from Spain for a day excursion and want to experience a “nearly real Moroccan” experience but won’t be able to explore the Sahara Desert. What better way to get a taste of Moroccan culture than a camel ride in Tangier?

Tangier is ranked seventh on our list of the top places in Morocco to ride a camel because camel drivers are not usually stationed here, so the opportunity is hit or miss. While it is possible to ride a camel in Tangier, it is not possible in the Sahara Desert.

Book your tour

Do you want to ride a camel while in Morocco? Contact us on trips around Morocco we know all the greatest camel riding spots in Morocco! Book your own private Morocco desert excursions in Morocco, complete with private transportation and courteous professional service from English-speaking drivers!

Morocco is a destination for travelers of all stripes, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish heritage tour in Morocco roots.

NEW YORK – With its mountains and desert, beach resorts, and Berber villages, Morocco is a treat for travelers of all stripes, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish roots.

The Jewish heritage tour in Morocco goes back more than 2,000 years. Before Israel was founded in 1948, they were estimated at about 275,000, considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, said Roy Mittelman, director of the Jewish Studies Program at City College. NEW YORK.

Today, after huge waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 in other parts of Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in many places. For example, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in the Casablanca suburb is the only museum of Judaism in the Arab world.

Jews of Moroccan origin in Israel and around the world often return to the North African kingdom, and some have second homes in family regions. Jewish heritage tour in Morocco are numerous and easy to follow. Most towns have a mellah, which is the old Jewish quarter, as well as Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

Mittelman, who has spent 40 years soaking up Jewish history, culture, and religious practices in Morocco, leads groups of students on tours of Jewish sites in an advanced seminar. There is much to read before visiting, he said.

He recommends Shlomo Dessens’ The Mella Society: Jewish Community Life in Sheriff Morocco for more information about pre-colonial Morocco, based on the writings of Jewish Moroccan sages of the 18th and 19th centuries.

To learn more about the spiritual history of the Jewish quarter in Marrakech, he recommends a travelogue by Bulgarian Jewish writer Elias Canetti, Voices of Marrakech: A Record of a Visit. Mittelman has honed his travel itineraries over the years.

Casablanca

The last Moroccan Jewish day school, Neve Shalom, is in Casablanca, which is the economic and business center of the kingdom. Ask director Jacky Sebbag. Watch children playing in the courtyard, enjoy them singing Jewish songs and learn more about the school’s Hebrew lessons and Bible study, Mittelman said.

Visit the Tahiti Beach Club, once a local Jewish hangout.

Among Mittelman’s walking tours of Jewish residential areas in Casablanca stop at Beth El and Eim Habanim synagogues. There is also a newer synagogue, David Ha-Melech, in Toni, the coastal neighborhood of Corniche, near the beach club.

Casablanca, like other cities, has a traditional kosher bakery and kosher restaurants.

Marrakech

There are just over 100 Jews left in Marrakech, including a handful who live in the old Jewish quarter, but the mellah is noisy, Mittelman said.

Among the synagogues that remain in the tiny blue-and-white Lazama along a narrow street. Ask a local how to find it. Visitors can enter for a small fee. For weary travelers, there is a cozy riad-style courtyard with a fruit tree and some chairs.

The original synagogue dates to 1492, but it was later rebuilt. The synagogue’s Torah scrolls were written on gazelle parchment, according to the Muslim synagogue manual. Visitors can glimpse Lazamas Mikveh, a traditional Jewish ritual bath that descends winding stone steps.

Mella is not the only place for synagogues. Go to a new part of Geliz, with a strong European influence, for Sabbath services at Temple Beth El Synagogue. Any cab driver should know how to get there.

Two hours south of Marrakech is the small town of Anonim, where the mysterious rabbi and healer Wazana once lived.

For another day trip from Marrakech, visit a Jewish heritage tour in Morocco sites in Essaouira, once a thriving Jewish center and former Portuguese fishing town. It was also a stop for the 1960s and ’70s rock stars who made pilgrimages to Marrakech. Built in the 1700s, the town has a synagogue, cemetery, and shopping center with signs pointing to buildings where ancient, long-gone synagogues once stood.

Mittelman’s special attraction is the tomb of Holy Rabbi Chaim bin Diwan, located just over an hour south of Marrakech. Jews still gather at this site in the high Atlas Mountains in the village of Tagadirt Nbour near Anhaz for the traditional celebration of the hilula of his life.

Mittelman leads groups up the hill to picnic near the grave.

This is our little pilgrimage site. You see the mountains around you, and you hear the wind coming through the mountains. It’s an incredible experience, he said.

Fes

The city had a large Jewish community in the 17th century, as well as the famous Ibn Danan Orthodox synagogue. Once crumbling, it was rebuilt in the 1990s with help from the World Monuments Fund and American Express. King Mohammed VI pledged to revive Jewish monuments throughout Morocco.

The mela here is a maze within the walls. You get lost, and that’s half the fun. This was the first mela in Morocco, dating back to about 1438.

In addition to the Jewish cemetery, where a couple of prominent medieval rabbis are buried, Fez has a site considered sacred among women, the tomb of Solika. With another surname, Solika was — according to one retelling — a Jewish woman of extraordinary beauty who was beheaded in 1834 for refusing to accept Islam.

Maimonides, one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the Middle Ages, lived in Fez from 1159 to 1165. His stone house with weathered engravings marking the place is worth a stop.

In the Glushes.

If you prefer this style of travel, Mittelman said, you should have no problem in small towns and villages tracing Jewish influence and history.

Find your first 80-year-old old man and tell me if you remember the Jews here? Chances are they’ll say yes, and here are their names, and here’s that crumbling house where they used to live.

A 10-day Jewish Heritage Tour in Morocco, Synagogues, and Communities

For first-time visitors to Morocco who are interested in Jewish heritage, this tour is entertaining and enlightening. Historic synagogues, holy tombs, attractive markets, spice souks, breathtaking scenery, and Andalusian gardens are all worth seeing. Visit the African Jewish Museum, which is the only one in the Muslim world. On the Sabbath, attend Jewish services and Shabbat dinner at a historic Jewish residence. This authentic 10-day Jewish Heritage Tour in Morocco gives the best of Jewish travel experiences.

ABOUT THE JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR IN MOROCCO: A 10-DAY PRIVATE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Morocco’s cultural richness reflects its historical position as a crossroads between Europe and the rest of the world. Morocco’s Jewish Heritage provides tourists with an opportunity to learn about ancient historical traditions, customs, architecture, monuments, and sites that have long been a part of Moroccan culture. The Jewish Heritage Morocco Tour from Travel Exploration is designed for discerning tourists. This tour includes visits to historic synagogues, cemeteries, architectural buildings, and the natural environs of the region, as well as opportunities to attend Jewish Shabbat services and dine at a Rabbi’s residence.

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca, Jewish Heritage Site Tour, and Guided City Tour

Arrival at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca. Dinner at Casablanca’s Kosher Restaurant. Visit Casablanca’s Jewish Synagogue, Temple Beth-El. Beth-El is remembered as the heart of a once-thriving Jewish community. Tourists flock to this synagogue because of its stained glass windows and other artistic features. If time permits, visit Temple Em Habanim and Neve Chalom.

Day 2: Tour Casablanca’s Jewish Heritage, then Follow the signs to Rabat.

In Casablanca, go to the Moroccan Judaism Museum. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca is the first of its sort in the Arab world, covering 700 square meters. Casablanca’s Museum of Moroccan Judaism is a history and ethnography museum founded in 1997 by the Jewish Community of Casablanca with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca, which is the Arab region’s only Jewish Museum, is tucked away in a residential neighborhood and is a treasure trove. Its national and international collections are conserved to world-class standards. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism exhibits religious, anthropological, and artistic artifacts that illustrate the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Moroccan Jews.

Day 3: En route to Fes, take a guided historical tour of Rabat and a city visit.

Visit Rabat before continuing on to Meknes and the Volubilis Roman Ruins.
Visit the Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower, which overlooks the Wadi Bou Regreg from a hilltop. It is a massive mosque that is symbolic of Rabat and is known for its unfinished minaret, which is home to storks. Visit Mohammed V’s stunning Mausoleum, which features stained glass windows, white marble, and a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading to an amazing dome, right next door. Visit the Jewish Mellah, which houses just a few Jewish households today.

Visit the Palace of Rabat and the Necropolis at Chellah/ Kasbah of Chellah and Kasbah Oudaya, as well as the adjacent gardens. Option to visit Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar’s birthplace, the beach village of Sale. Attar was an 18th-century Kabbalist who was born in Morocco in 1696 and was well-known throughout the Jewish community for his mystical Bible exegesis.
Take the journey to Meknes’ Imperial City, “the Moroccan Versailles,” and Volubilis’ Roman Ruins, “Walili.”

Explore the Jewish Mellah & Quarter, with its winding alleyways and vibrant courtyards. The importance of Jewish history can be seen in Hebraic epitaphs from the Christian era. These epitaphs, as well as Greek inscriptions, may be found on the Meknes Jewish zaouia, a pilgrimage site where Rabbi David Benmidan’s grave still stands.
Meknes has a long Jewish history. An ancient Hebraic epitaph from the Christian era can be found there. The burial of Rabbi David Benn Imdan, “the patron of Meknes,” is still marked by Greek inscriptions on the synagogue. Each street is named after prominent Jewish Rabbis and other prominent Jews who once lived in the city.

In total, eleven synagogues remain in Meknes, none of which are now in operation. During your guided Jewish Heritage Tour in Meknes, you may see 1-2, as well as the local cemetery and a Jewish school.

Day 4: Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Jewish Heritage Sites in Fes

Visit Jewish and Muslim Historic Sites in Fes: On this UNESCO Fes guided historical tour, you will visit Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites, including Synagogues, Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, the Mellah, gardens, and palaces. Your guide will serve as a conduit between Moroccan Muslims and Jews.

Fes Guided Excursion to Jewish Seffrou on Day 5

Visit Sefrou, the cherry capital. Sefrou, south of Fes, was dubbed “Little Jerusalem” because of its substantial Jewish population and well-developed religious life. A rabbi from Sefrou was elected to Parliament after Morocco’s independence. The mellah of Sefrou encompasses half of the historic city.
Make a brief halt en route to Sefrou to visit Bhalil, a cemetery.
Sefrou was originally a prominent hub for Moroccan Jews, and their buildings with wooden balconies may still be seen in the walled white pedestrian medina.
In Morocco, the city of Sefrou is an excellent example of interfaith collaboration. In Sefrou, Muslims and Jews lived side by side and performed their religious ceremonies in synchrony.

Day 6: Fes to Marrakech departure via Ifrane and Beni Mellal

Travel to Marrakech by road.
Stop along the way to see the vista of Ifrane University and take a stroll through the garden. For its architecture, cedar forest, and winter ski resort possibilities, Ifrane is known as Morocco’s “Little Switzerland.” This Moroccan town has a stunning European appearance, as if it were an Alpine village, and was developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climat. The town experiences snow in the winter and a chilly climate in the summer because of its height.

In Ifrane, visit an outdoor cafe for coffee, tea, and pastries.
Stop in Zaouia Cheikh for a while. This is one of the 30 dams that Morocco plans to construct by 2030. The current King Mohammed VI is carrying on Hassan II’s idea of constructing one dam every year to irrigate the kingdom.
Lunch in Beni Mellal’s Hotel Paris.
In Marrakech, spend the night in a boutique hotel or riad.

Day 7: Historical Tour, City Visit, Yves Saint Laurent Gardens & Berber Museum, UNESCO Sites & Jewish Heritage Sites with Marrakech Guides

Visit the Gardens, Palaces, and Jewish Heritage Sites of Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech Day at Leisure – La Mamounia Gardens Exploration and Hammam/ Spa Experience

Gardens of La Mamounia
Built-in 1929, this famous historical landmark hotel and gardens in Marrakech are maintained by 40 gardeners who plant 60,000 annuals twice a year to enhance the grounds as well as maintain the immaculately mowed grass under the citrus and olive orchards, desert garden, rose garden, and tropical garden, as well as the many fountains. The 200-year-old olive tree avenue leads to the garden pavilion, where you may relax and unwind while sipping Moroccan mint tea.

Abderrazzak Palmeraie Gardens & Museum in Benchaabane

Abderrazzak Benchaabane is a legend in Marrakech. This renowned Garden Designer, Ethnobotanist, Perfumer, Teacher, Photographer, Writer, and Publisher is quiet and soft-spoken. Benchaabane’s private collection of Moroccan modern and contemporary art is housed in the converted stables and piste buildings on the property.
In Marrakech, spend the night in a boutique hotel or riad.

Day 9: Marrakech Excursion to Coastal Essaouira and Essaouira Jewish Heritage Sites

Leave towards the beach Essaouira is a seaside fishing town famed for its Portuguese and Jewish history, hand-painted lovely blue, white, and yellow-painted cottages, excellent seafood, and a thriving artist population.
Beautiful whitewashed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood crafts, art galleries, and delectable seafood can be found in Essaouira’s attractive artist quarter. Essaouria is noted for its annual GnaouaMusicFestival, which attracts 300,000+ people in June and was once known as Mogador by European sailors and traders. It also features a large surfing beach known as Plage de Safi.

The Star of David may still be seen over the doorways of Jewish homes in many of Essaouira’s painted dwellings. Religious Jews from all over the world visit Essaouira every year for an annual pilgrimage to the burial of Rabbi Haim Pinto, who died in 1845. A hiloula honoring Rabbi Haim Pinto is conducted every September.
Rabbi Haim Pinto’s home and synagogue have been preserved as historical and religious sites. The structure is a functioning synagogue that is utilized by pilgrims and Jewish tour groups who come to the city.
There were Jewish residents in Essaouira a generation ago, but currently, there is just one living Jew, Joseph Sebag, whose relatives escaped Spain with other Jewish families during the Spanish Inquisition. Jacky Kadoch is the president of the Jewish community in Essaouira.
Explore the key Jewish Heritage sites in Essaouira, including the Attia Synagogue (House of Memory), Haim Pinto Synagogue, Bayt Dakira, the Jewish Mellah, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, which features cubist and Amazigh tombstones.

Marrakech, Day 10 Departure

Departure from the airports of Casablanca or Marrakech.

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country located in northwest Africa. It has at least 40 ecosystems with an impressive variety of fauna. Even in regions with the harshest climatic conditions, different species of animals and birds can be found. In total, there are more than a hundred species of mammals and no less than two hundred species of birds. Below are the main Moroccan animals with photos and descriptions.

Camel

It’s debatable whether or not camels exist in Morocco. This is due to the fact that conventional camels have two humps on their backs, whereas Moroccan camels only have one. Dromedaries, a member of the camel family, are the name given to camels in Morocco. Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries) are uncommon in the wild, and the majority of those observed strolling across the landscape have owners. Herds that haven’t been fully domesticated can often be spotted, but they’ll still follow their nomadic owners from one feeding area to the next.
Dromedaries have a reputation for being belligerent and obstinate, however, this is only true when it comes to the herd’s leader. If they believe the herd is threatened or in danger, they will become violent. Most of the time, these are gentle creatures with a high level of intelligence and patience. These camels are native to northern Africa, but Australia is home to the world’s only really wild Dromedary Camel population. They shield their eyes and ears from the sand with long, thick eyelashes and very hairy ears. Camels reach a height of six to seven feet when fully grown, and their lifespan ranges from twenty-five to fifty years.
The Dromedaries are revered by the owners and the people for their gentle natures and ability to survive in the desert with very little food and water. Their incredible ability to increase their own body heat allows them to live in the desert heat.
Morocco’s allure is linked to the images and culture of camel caravans and their owners journeying over the desert. Despite the fact that camels are not utilized as a mode of transportation in Morocco, they have become an important part of the tourism industry and a source of revenue for many residents. Visitors may go on a camel journey in Morocco and stop off at some of the country’s most unique locations along the way.
Traveling on a camel through Morocco under clear blue skies and through huge landscapes of magnificent beauty is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Discovering off-the-beaten-path little villages and settlements while being safely carried across the harsh desert on one of the desert’s most amazing creatures is a unique experience that will leave tourists with stunning memories and a deep appreciation for the Dromedary Camel.

Hedgehog

This miniature mammal of the African hedgehog family is not found only in Morocco. The Algerian urchin is also found in Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, France, and Spain. In Morocco, these small animals are found mainly in mixed forest climates. They do not inhabit arid areas.
Externally, the Algerian urchin is very similar to its European counterpart but much smaller in size. Its body length is only 20-25 cm. The Algerian hedgehog is also distinguished by its large ears. The head and paws of this small animal are brown, while the muzzle is pale.

monkey

Moroccan animals are the only macaque found outside of Asia. The maggot has many different names. This representative of real monkeys is known as the Maghreb or tailless macaque. It is also known as the Barbary monkey.
The body length of females reaches 55 cm, and of males – 63-64 cm. Males are also larger in weight. While females weigh only 9.5-10 kg, males can weigh up to 14-15 kg. The tail of these monkeys is small. Its length varies from 38 mm to 2.2 cm.

Berber monkeys in Morocco are found in many places: in meadows, among rocks, in forests. They feed mainly on insects and various plant parts.

mongoose

Moroccan animals the mongoose family is also known as the “pharaoh rat. According to Herodotus, the ancient Egyptians worshipped this animal as a sacred creature. The body of the Egyptian mongoose was embalmed and buried with the pharaohs.
The Egyptian mongoose is a typical animal of Egypt. It is also found in the vast expanses of Morocco, where it lives on the banks of rivers and in the thickets of reeds surrounding fields. This animal can also be found in forests and savannahs, but only where there is a water source nearby.

The body length of the Egyptian mongoose reaches 50-60 cm and weighs from 1.6 to 4 kg. The tail length of this animal reaches 33 to 53 cm. The diet of the Egyptian mongoose consists of rodents, reptiles, insects, and amphibians, as well as eggs and fruit. Like other mongoose species, it also destroys snakes.

Crested or combed porcupine

Moroccan animals is the most famous representative of porcupines. Its body length reaches 60-83 cm and its weight ranges from 13 to 27 kg. The entire body of the crested porcupine is covered with characteristic sharp bristles.
In addition to them, this animal has stronger needles, which are up to 35 cm long. It is this that the porcupine spreads in the form of a crest for protection against enemies. This terrestrial animal feeds exclusively on vegetation, including leaves, roots, and bulbs. Occasionally, its diet may include carrion and insects.

Grizzly ram (arui)

This cloven-hoofed mammal, a subspecies of the wild sheep, is widely distributed in the expanses of North Africa. Its body is covered with short wool of a reddish hue with dark stripes.
Males have horns, while females may sometimes lack them. Adult mushroom rams can have horns up to 80 cm long. The average weight of males reaches 50 kg, while females only 34-35 kg.

Females are capable of reproducing offspring in their 3rd-4th year of life. Due to uncontrolled hunting and poaching, the population of these animals in Morocco is on the verge of extinction.

Wall Gecko

These reptiles are usually found in urban areas. They can often be spotted on tree trunks, in crevices of rocks and houses, and on ruins. These small reptiles feed mainly on insects.

The body length of the wall gecko reaches 15-18 cm, with the tail accounting for almost half of it. This reptile is nocturnal. Its brownish or brownish-gray coloration is lighter during the day and darker at night. The body has a characteristic, clearly visible transverse pattern.

Barkhan cat

This member of the feline family looks very similar to a domestic cat. Its body height ranges from 23-36 cm, and its weight ranges from 1.5 to 3.4 kg. The tail length reaches 23-30 cm. The most recognizable appearance of the barchan cat is given by its flat wide head and short paws.
These animals are found in Morocco in the desert expanses, where there are almost no rocks. The barkhan cat is well adapted to life in the desert. It can live for months without moisture and survive for a long time without food due to accumulated fat.

Maghreb Squirrel

Externally, this rodent is very similar to ground squirrels. Its Latin species name is precisely translated as “ground squirrel of the Atlas Mountains”. From this, the distribution range of these Moroccan animals becomes clear.

The Maghreb squirrel is a small rodent. Its body length varies between 16-22 cm. The fluffy tail of this ground squirrel is the same length. On average, these rodents weigh about 340 grams.

Their fur is dyed reddish-brown or grayish-brown. The Maghreb Squirrel has white stripes on the sides of its body and sometimes along its backbone.

Maghreb Squirrels live in groups in burrows dug among rocks, in meadows, or in farmland. They feed mainly on seeds and fruits.

Desert Fox

This species of crested rodent is found mainly in southeastern Morocco, but also in Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. In the Moroccan expanses, the gundi inhabits mainly the southern slope of the Atlas Mountains, at altitudes from 230 to 2900 m. Rocky desert regions are the main places where these small rodents are found.
The gundi reaches a body length of 16-20 cm and a short tail of just under 2.5 cm. The average weight of these animals is about 185 grams.

Externally, the gundi looks very similar to the guinea pig. These are diurnal herbivorous Moroccan animals. They make their home under boulders and in rock crevices. They live in groups of 3 to 11 individuals.

The most recognizable appearance of the Phenek is given by its rather large ears, which are 10-15 cm long against the background of its small body. The fur of these animals is colored in a creamy-sandy shade, which allows them to reflect heat during the day.

Fenek is an omnivore. Its diet includes rodents, rabbits, birds, and eggs. Like many desert fauna representatives, these miniature chanterelles can do without water for quite a long time.

How to Plan the Perfect Easter Vacation in Morocco for Your Family

For families, Morocco is an excellent Easter in Morocco trip. It’s easy to get to, safe, and sunny, with stunning landscape and unmatched friendliness. From Europe, there is no jet lag. Children will no longer require vaccine passports as of this week. As a result, now is the best time to plan an Easter vacation!
Here are two fantastic routes to take, as well as several family-friendly accommodations along the way.

Families love the lively Red City as a starting point. There’s a lot to see, starting with the fascinating and labyrinthine souks, which sell everything from homeware to spices to woodwork and jewelry. You can also see artisans weaving fabric, pounding metal, cobblers, and the very noisy tanneries. Climb the city walls, tour palaces, and tombs, and explore Yves Saint Laurent’s stunning Majorelle Gardens on a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) journey around the city.

Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech

Outside the city walls, the Palmeraie palm trees provide shade, and the majestic snow-capped Atlas Mountains may be seen to the south. These are easily accessible on a day trip from Marrakech, but we believe that staying overnight allows you to immerse yourself in the fascinating Berber culture and to do some moderate walks into the mountains for amazing vistas. The Tizi-n’Tichka road to Ouarzazate (4 hours each way) reveals spectacular gorges, luscious river valleys, walled villages, and ancient history: there’s even a Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs to explore! Spend the night at either the picturesque kasbah-town of At Benhaddou, which has been featured in numerous films or the palm oasis of Skoura, which is located on the verge of the Sahara desert (see our recommended hotels below).

Ultimate Guide to Camel Trekking in Merzouga Desert

In Merzouga, there are a lot of services to have fun on your Easter in Morocco, Camel trekking in the Merzouga desert is a must-do on every Morocco visit. Arrive early if you want to spend one night riding a camel and sleeping in a Berber camp. We usually leave two hours before dusk to see the sunset on the route or when we get at the camp.

We’ll start by riding camels and driving across the golden dunes. Our camel man, on the other hand, will make numerous stops along the trip to take your shots and allow you to snap some of your own. We’ll have arrived at our opulent tent in no time. We’ll kick things off with a fantastic Moroccan lunch. Furthermore, our crew will work tirelessly to prepare to play the drums for you. You’ll have a great time listening to Berber music under the stars. You can have the camels return to the point where we started if you want. You can, however, take a 44-minute journey back to the meeting point.

Itinerary of Easter in Morocco

Day 1: Marrakech

The first day of our Easter in Morocco will start in Marrakech Arrive at the airport and be escorted to your riad by your driver/guide. There is a free day available. Dinner is on the house. In the riad for the night.

Day 2: Visit Marrakech

Marrakech is one of Morocco’s major towns to have fun with your Easter in Morocco, and it is the most important of the four Imperial Cities, nestled at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. After breakfast, go with your official guide and driver for a tour of the city, also known as the “Pearl of the South” and “Red or Ochre City” because of the red walls that encircle it and the various red-colored structures constructed at the same time with red stones and sand.

The Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, the Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef’s ancient Koranic school, the Mosque, and the Koutoubia Minaret are all visited. Shortstop for lunch and a mint tea on one of the terraces overlooking the Jemaa el-Fna square, then on to the Mosque and the Koutoubia Minaret, the Majorelle Gardens, and the new Yves Saint Laurent museum, which recently opened. Return to your riad/hotel in the afternoon. Dinner is on the house. In the riad for the night.

Day 3: Marrakech to Dades

After breakfast, depart from the riad in Marrakech and travel across the Great Atlas Mountains to Tizi n’Tichka, which is 2,260 meters above sea level (the highest mountain pass in the Atlas). We will next drive south to the Kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou, which has been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site, where we will pay a brief visit. The journey will continue to the Dades Valley, passing through the Valley of Roses, which is known for the cultivation of the Damask rose, from which the essence is derived for numerous products. The Dades Gorges will be our destination. In the riad for dinner and the night.

Day 4: Dades to Merzouga

Depart from the Dades Valley after breakfast and continue to the Todra Gorges. We’ll next carry on to Erfoud, which is known as the “City of Fossils” because of the abundance of fossil stones in the surrounding area. Arrive in Merzouga village in the afternoon. In the riad for dinner and the night.

Day 5: Merzouga desert tour

In fifth day of our Easter in Morocco we will start discovering Merzouga in the morning to explore the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you will be able to see and shoot spectacular landscapes. Along the route, we will pay a brief visit to the nomadic families who live in this remote location. A quick trip to the Mifiss mines. Continue to Khamlia, a community populated by black people from Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania, where you will be able to attend a Gnawa music event and where we will stop for lunch to sample Berber pizza (not included in the price). Before nightfall, ride a camel to the Berber tents, commonly known as “Haima,” where dinner will be served under the stars and traditional Berber music played with drums will be played. Dinner and an overnight stay at a deluxe tented camp.

Day 6: Merzouga to Ouarzazate

Early morning wake-up call to watch the sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at the tented camp, and return on the back of a dromedary to Rissani, where you can visit the famous and busy market. Continue in the direction of Ouarzazate, passing through the Draa Valley, which is rich in palm trees and Berber communities, and arriving in the afternoon at Ouarzazate. The Atlas Film Corporation Studios, Easter in Morocco, is located near the town and has shot and continues to shoot various films set in the desert. The Atlas Studios are open to the public for free. In the riad for dinner and the night.

Day 7: Ouarzazate to Marrakech

After breakfast, embark for a visit to Ouarzazate, a military and administrative center in the Dadès valley that was enlarged by the French in the 1920s. We will visit the kasbah of Taourirt on the outskirts of Ouarzazate, in the direction of Tinerhir, which was inhabited until shortly after the 1930s and is now a tourist complex with a museum. Departure in the direction of Marrakech, traversing the Great Atlas Mountains once more on the way back to Marrakech in the evening. Dinner is on the house. In the riad for the night.

Day 8: Airport in Marrakech

The last day of our holy week Easter in Morocco Accompanying you to the Marrakech airport for your return to your nation and the end of our work.

Please keep in mind that we are a travel agency that organizes tours in Morocco from any city, for example:

3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

4 days tour from Marrakech to Fes

3 days tour from Fes to Marrakech

4 days tour from Fes to Marrakech

6 days tour from Casablanca

4 days tour from Tangier

4 days tour from Agadir to Merzouga

Matbokha is spicy Moroccan vegetable sauce whose main ingredients are peppers and tomatoes. It is now considered the national sauce of Israel. Texture – paste-like, structure – heterogeneous, there are pieces of vegetables; color – red, orange; taste – spicy and sharp; flavor – peppery, sweet. The name “matbukha” is also used to refer to vegetable stew.

Ingredients for Matbukha

• Sweet peppers – 400-500 gr.
• Tomatoes – 200-300 gr.
• Chili pepper – 4 units.
• Garlic – 1 head (5-6 cloves).
• Vegetable oil (sunflower or olive) – 1 tbsp.
• Salt – 1 tsp.
• Sugar – 1 tbsp.
• Ground paprika – half a teaspoon.

How is matbukha sauce made?

There is no single recipe for the seasoning. Every family and every cook has his or her own way of making matbouhi. While absolutely all compositions have fleshy tomatoes, the types of peppers vary. You can take the sweet Bulgarian types or the juicy, California types, add paprika or chili.

The sauce must have originally had a very spicy taste. The purpose of the condiments, whose formulation was developed in the era of no refrigerators, was to prevent spoilage and suppress pathogenic flora if it had already infiltrated the dish. At a later stage, when the possibility of long storage appeared, they began to experiment with the taste of matbouh sauce, making it sweeter or spicier.

How to cook Matbukha:

• Uniform sauce: Remove the stalks, membranes and seeds from the bell peppers and only the stalk from the chili. Wash all the vegetables with running water, 2 tomatoes and 4 red bell peppers with a blender until mushy and pour the contents of the bowl into an enamel pan. Roast 4 chilies cut into rings and one clove of garlic cloves cut into cloves in a pan in sunflower oil. Roast chopped in a blender and also pour into the pot, boil everything on low heat until almost all the liquid evaporates. Stir necessarily, otherwise it will burn. Before turning off poured sugar (1 tbsp.), salt and paprika powder to taste. You can add other seasonings, especially if you do not plan to store it for a long time.

• Hot sauce: If the seasoning is served as part of the side dish, matbucha is prepared as a stew. Dip 2 kg of tomatoes in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to remove the skin and cut into cubes. Remove the stalks from the bitter chili, cut into 3 pods and send them to the pot with the tomatoes. Crush garlic with a crusher (4 tbsp.) and steam everything on the heat until pasty, at least 1 hour. California peppers (2 pcs.) are cut in large squares, removing the membranes and seeds, add 2 tbsp. of tomato paste and 1 tbsp. of olive oil. Stir and stew until the vegetable pieces begin to soften. Immediately turn off, remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if needed, just before serving.

• With onions. To make matbukha with a bitter taste, onions are added to the ingredients. Onion or white onion is used, the taste has to be determined by experience. In a thick-walled pot, heat the sunflower oil and fry until golden onion rings (200 g), poured paprika powder (1 tsp.). In the same pan poured pieces of hot and juicy green or red bell peppers (200 g), stir for 5 minutes. Pour 4-5 chopped tomatoes and 4 cloves of crushed garlic, chopped bitter pepper. When all the vegetables are soft, remove the container from the fire, bring to a homogeneous state with an immersion blender, salt and pepper. The seasoning is served cold.

• With chicken broth: It requires very little – 4 tbsp. Roast all types of peppers in sunflower oil, pre-cut into cubes (3 green bell peppers, 1 stemless green bitter, 1 red paprika) for 3 minutes, add half of overripe tomatoes (3 kg), without removing skins, large garlic heads (previously peeled and cut wedges in half), all seasonings – 2 tbsp. paprika, 0.5 tsp. bitter black pepper, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. sugar. Boil under a lid until all the vegetables are soft, and then evaporate, stirring constantly, on very low heat, so as not to burn. When a spoon turns with difficulty, pour in the broth, stir again, remove from the heat and cool. Store in the refrigerator.

• Sauce for winter. To make matbucha, you can use the recipe #3. Only in this case, the number of ingredients is increased, otherwise there is no reason to mess. Tomatoes need 2 kg, bell peppers – 4-5 pcs, bitter – 3 pcs, onions – 1 kg, a head of garlic. Vegetables are not just brought to softness; they are boiled, and not only salt and pepper are added, but also spices – cumin and coriander – as flavor enhancers. After grinding it with a blender, bring it to a boil again. In sterilized jars, the seasoning is spread hot, the surface is poured with sunflower oil.

Matbucha sauce is made by small private companies. Production lines are equipped with devices for cutting and washing vegetables, agitators, vacuum chambers for heat treatment and devices for packaging. The food is packaged in 250 ml. flat cans made of food plastic. Ingredients a minimum: 2 types of peppers – sweet and chili, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and salt. The label indicates the types of preservatives and stabilizers. The texture is pasty and completely homogeneous.

It is very difficult to buy matbucha in supermarkets outside of Israel. Special demand for the spice is not popular. But private suppliers take orders over the Internet. Whether it is worth the risk and order the product, not knowing how it was stored, everyone decides for himself.

• See also how to cook pomegranate narsharab sauce

Matbukha – stewed vegetable sauce

More recently, I became fascinated by Israeli cuisine, being a fan of this country and the people who have built a prosperous state in the desert over several decades. In Israel, everything blooms. Girls’ cheeks, citrus plantations, greenhouses with vegetables. You take a leaf of local green lettuce in your hand, take a bite, and the juice flows. Carrots – they’re red, orange, purple. Eggplant – it’s white, spotted, dark purple. Mama dear! And olive oil? It’s not bitter, and if it’s supposed to be bitter, it’s delicate. You want to dip a crust of freshly baked bread, salt it a little, and eat it. When I told my friends about this gastronomic paradise and said the names: matbukha, shakshuka, babaganush, tkhina, everyone nodded intelligently and went to make pasta. I had a burning desire to expand their culinary horizons, so I started experimenting.

We’ll need:

• Red bell pepper – 3 pcs.
• Large fresh tomato – 4 pcs.
• Red chili pepper – 1 pc.
• Large onion – 1 pc.
• Tomato paste – 1 tbsp.
• Garlic – 5 cloves
• Red paprika – 1 tsp.
• Zira – 2 pinches
• Olive oil for frying
• Salt to taste

Equipment and other supplies:

• Casanok or cast iron pot
• Gloves

Making a base

I want to pay attention to the spices. I always repeat Grammy’s words: “A chicken should be a chicken, not a ballerina on a diet before a premiere. The same goes for spices. They should have both smell and taste. Paprika has a faint odor, six months after grinding, even if properly stored, it runs out and is already just red powder. No problem. No one cancels Halloween, you can paint your face and become a Native American leader. But you have to cook with a fresh spice that has a spicy flavor. You’ll know the flavor of zira right away. It is bright, nutty. In appearance, the seeds of the zira resemble the seeds of cumin or dill. Feel free to smell them!

Cooking

• Peel the onion, garlic, peppers from the seeds, leave the chili alone.
• Remove the skin from the tomato, or as professional chefs say, the tomato should be blanched before cooking.
• Cut the onion into half rings, the bell bell pepper into small cubes, and chop the garlic loosely.
• Pour olive oil into a cauldron, send the onions to the oil and fry over medium heat for ten minutes, then add the paprika and cilantro. Stirring with a spoon, continue the process.
• After another ten minutes, add chopped chili peppers along with the seeds, stir.
• Then add bell peppers to the cauldron.
• The contents of the cauldron stew for another twenty minutes. It’s time for tomato cubes and tomato paste. Combine and stir again.
• The final touch is garlic and salt. You add it, mix it, taste it.
• Now close the cauldron with a lid, reduce the fire to the lowest setting and recollect the matbuch every half an hour. If necessary, add water. All vegetables should become soft, but not turn into a mashed potato. Cooking time varies from three hours to six hours. It all depends on the size of the vegetable cubes. Chopped small – three hours, large – six. It’s up to you.

I can honestly say that if you don’t know what Jewish patience is, you do have a chance. Serve it with fresh bread, use it as a sauce to your favorite pasta, with lamb matbucha is your best friend, and with eggs as shakshuka – the most welcome relative with a dowry.

Advice from Granny

Matbukhas can be made larger and stored in glass jars with a lid. You can make a twist for the winter. If you are against spicy, do not add chili peppers. It’s not the classic version, but you don’t have to worry about your stomach.

Hacelim, or eggplant pâté

If the weather outside was disgusting, Granny would look up at the sky and say: “Imagine the clouds floating across the sky, like a porcelain Madonna set. Birds flying and resembling teapots in a glass of delicious freshly brewed Indian tea “Three Elephants”. Then, though sad on the soul, it will be a little brighter. I sighed and went to make some delicious tea to distract me from unnecessary thoughts.

We’ll need:

• Eggplant of medium size – 4 pcs.
• Classic mayonnaise – 2 tbsp.
• Garlic – 1 clove
• Vegetable oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment and related materials:

• Oven
• Tray
• Foil
• Strainers
• Bowl

Doing the Bazaar

Choose your eggplants very carefully. You have to make friends with each one and exchange a long handshake. Which means take an eggplant in your hand. The vegetable should be firm, smooth and without blemishes. If you see a dimple on the nose of the eggplant, it is a “girl”, and if there is no dimple, it is a “boy”. In this case, the male gender suits us better, because “girls” have more seeds, in this recipe they are “not allo”.

Cooking

• The flavor of the smoke plays a very important role here. So if you have gas at home, then smear two eggplants with vegetable oil, pierce a couple of times with a knife and send them to the oven at 180 degrees for about forty minutes. Wrap the other two separately in foil, also pierce with a knife, turn on a large burner and put the eggplant directly on it. Check every 5 minutes and flip. Once the eggplant is very soft when pressed, it’s done. You can do the same trick on a grill or use a professional indoor burner. If you’re becoming a culinary maniac like me, I suggest getting one. It’s a cool gizmo, or as it’s fashionable to say nowadays, a gadget.
• When the eggplants are warm, you should peel them from the skin and put them in a colander on a bowl. The juice you don’t need should drain away. First of all, it is bitter. Secondly, without the juice the pâté will not turn out watery.
• We put the eggplants on a board and start chopping with a knife with a wide blade, then add two tablespoons of mayonnaise, a garlic clove, which was previously passed through a press, salt and a little black pepper and continue simultaneously chopping and mixing all the ingredients into each other. This will take you about fifteen minutes. With this monotony of motion there is no need to get bored. You can dream about a vacation, like the Maldives. Even if you think it’s just a dream, I still insist, dream on! Miracles do happen!
• When you get a homogeneous mixture, taste and season with salt and pepper. No blenders or mixers! Logically inexplicable, but if you resort to this technique, the taste will turn out “unfortunate,” as they say in Odessa.
• Put the pâté in a mold and put it away in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
• Make a few toasts of boruda bread, put hacelim on top, garnish with green onions or chop some sweet yalta and bring the plate for tasting to your loved ones and relatives. Believe me, in exactly one minute after you start the tasting experiment, not only I will be proud of you, but they already are. And that means we’re together!

Composition and calories of matbouha sauce

The vitamin and mineral composition of the sauce depends on the recipe, proportions and type of ingredients. Nutritional value is low. The seasoning, prepared by stewing in tomato juice, has a caloric value of 60 kcal per 100 g.

The caloric value of matbouha with vegetable oil is 79 kcal per 100 g, of which:

• Protein – 1.5 g;
• Fats – 1.5 g;
• Carbohydrates – 10.3 g;
• Dietary fiber, 1.2 g;

Vitamins predominant in the seasoning: ascorbic acid, choline, lycopene, nicotinic acid, beta-carotene. The mineral composition of matbukha has a large amount of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon, iron, zinc, manganese. Despite the fact that the product is not related to the sea, it has a small amount of iodine – at the expense of sweet peppers. Indispensable amino acids 12 species with a predominance of leucine, substitutable – 8, most of all glutamic and asparagic acid. And the sauce also contains organic acids (malic acid, citric acid), pectins, tannins.

• See also the composition and calories of Subiz sauce

Useful properties of matbukha

The spicy seasoning activates digestive processes and increases the rate of peristalsis. Salt, which is used in the preparation, helps to retain precious moisture and maintain water-electrolyte balance, which is very important in those regions where the recipe for the sauce was created.

The benefits of matbukha for the body:

• The tasty product stimulates the production of the hormones of happiness – noradrenaline and serotonin, prevents the development of depression, helps to cope with nervous agitation, stabilize the emotional background, improves sleep.
• Inhibits the activity of pathogens, reduces the likelihood of inflammation – stomatitis and periodontal disease.
• Increases the overall tone of the body, increases blood circulation. Blood pressure stops “jumping” and becomes stable.
• Improves impulse conduction, memory function and coordination.
• Due to the high content of ascorbic acid it increases immunity, reduces the frequency of diseases during the epidemic season, replenishes the body’s vitamin and mineral reserves.

Women who regularly added matbukha to their daily menu noted that PMS began to bother them less often and their menstrual cycle normalized. For men, the products that make up the sauce – hot peppers and tomatoes – are aphrodisiacs. The arousing effect increases sexual desire and stimulates the production of seminal fluid.

It is worth to note the antioxidant effect of matbouha due to lycopene – a substance that is contained in tomatoes and does not disintegrate during heat treatment. It accelerates the removal of free radicals circulating in the intestinal lumen and circulatory system, suppresses malignization and reduces the risk of developing intestinal cancer of all parts and breast cancer.

• Read also about the health benefits of Vatel sauce

Contraindications and harms of matbukha

It is worth avoiding abuse of the sauce in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract associated with increased gastric acidity. Consumption of matbukha will harm the ulcerated mucosa of the mouth, digestive tract and stomach. You will have to refuse to enter the diet in case of exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, ulcer disease, enterocolitis.

It is not worth tasting daily seasoning for gout, arthritis and osteochondrosis during frequent attacks because of the high content of oxalic acid. For the same reason, limit the tasty additive to dishes with urolithiasis or cystitis.

The property of increasing the tone of the body is dangerous for people prone to hypertension. Bitter pepper, which is necessarily introduced as one of the main components, increases the load on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

Red products are dangerous for people who often have allergy attacks. When familiarizing yourself with a new flavor, keep in mind that the main ingredients in the sauce – tomatoes and 2 types of peppers – are red.

Recipes for dishes with matbukha

The spice is considered a universal, served with it fish and meat dishes, pasta, used as an ingredient for pizza and sandwiches. But there is one dish that cannot be cooked without matbucha: shakshuka eggs. The pepper and tomato sauce is brought to a boil in a thick-walled frying pan and eggs are beaten into it, covered with a lid and waited for the contents to set. Quick, tasty and healthy.

• Recipes with matbukha delicious dishes:

Stew. In a thick-walled frying pan, fry rings of onion. When they become soft, put finely chopped young veal and wait, stirring constantly, until there is a ruddy crust. Pour the tomato and pepper seasoning, add water and stew for 40 minutes until the liquid evaporates and the meat is tender and soft.
Fried fish. 1 kg of fresh herring is cleaned, remove large bones (it is desirable to get rid of small bones as well), cut into portions. Mix flour with salt and roll the fish in it. Pour sunflower refined oil in a pan, about a finger, fry the billets until a crispy crust, like in a deep fryer, put in a form on a “pillow” of red onions – cut in rings. Pour tomato-pepper sauce on top, bake at 160-170°С for 15 minutes. This time is enough for herring to be completely cooked. You can make the dish in a pot, then put it on the fire, pour 250 ml of water and stew for 15 minutes. Before serving, each piece is sprinkled with fresh herbs – chopped parsley and dill.

• See also recipes for dishes with velouté sauce.

Interesting facts about matbukha

The seasoning is relatively young – the development of recipes is estimated at the 18th century. It was during this time period that tomatoes ceased to be exotic to the peoples of the Middle East. At the same time, the recipe for matbucha was brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants. It made its way into the diet, as the list of ingredients did not contradict the traditions of kashrut, and the taste was moderately spicy and moderately spicy. In addition, in the days when refrigerators were only in development, pepper spice reduced the microbiological hazards of dishes, because in the heat quickly reproduce pathogens.

Housewives of countries with hot climates love matbouha sauce for the fact that it does not require much time for preparation. After all, it is enough to cut the ingredients into arbitrary pieces, pour them into a pot and cook over low heat, minding your own business, periodically visiting the kitchen to mix everything. And the cooked vegetables are grinded to a smooth consistency, and that’s it – dinner is practically ready. So why not master such an easy recipe and make your pets happy, too?

Meknes city is now considered an old provincial town, but you can still see clear traces of its former glory. Moreover, this town is considered by many as the “Versailles of Morocco” or “Little Paris”, while remaining an oasis of peace and quiet.

Where is Meknes?

Meknes city, 60 km from Fez and 150 km from Rabat, is often overlooked by tourists. Those who decide to visit it, stay here only for one or two days. This is a big mistake because Meknes has an incredible amount to offer. The charm and atmosphere of this place will delight anyone who decides to stay here for a while. Walks through the city will help to understand and learn about the history of not only the former capital of Morocco, but also the entire country.

Images from the city’s history

Meknes city boasts a long and rich history. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. The history of this place officially began in the early 10th century, when the Berber tribe of Meknassa came from the mountains of the Middle Atlas to the Sais plateau (Saïs).

The fertile soil and very good access to water made this area ideal for habitation. It should be noted, however, that the first fortified settlement was built here in the 8th century.

Development of the city occurred during the Almohad and Merynid dynasties (12th-15th centuries), who built a medina and impressive defensive walls, which are now the oldest in all of Morocco.

Meknes underwent rapid change after 1672, when Mulay Ismail established it as the country’s capital, which it remained until 1727. The most ruthless ruler in Moroccan history spared neither men nor money to expand and beautify his city.

A cruel legend has it that if Ismail was not satisfied with the work of the laborers, he would brutally kill them and have their blood mixed with cement for further construction. What’s more, some of the The material used for construction came from looting carried out in Volubilis and Marrakech.

One of the visionary ideas of this leader is an unfinished huge palace complex. A multitude of smaller palaces and palaces, libraries, hospitals, hospitals and mosques were also built on his orders.This site uses cookies. By staying on it, you agree to the use of cookies.Find out more – click here.Ok, I understand
As with Agadir, Meknes was also massively damaged by an earthquake. It occurred in 1755 and unfortunately it stopped the development of Meknes and completely deprived it of political importance.

Unfortunately, further fate of the city was equally unfavorable. At the beginning of the 20th century it was chosen as the main headquarters of the occupying French army, and because of that it became the scene of many bloody clashes between the Moroccans and the French.

Meknes returned to the favor of the government only after Morocco regained its independence in 1956. At that time, intensive reconstruction and modernization of the city began.

Meknes Medina

The Medina is the pride of Meknes city, honored by being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Its turbulent history has made it an original blend of architectural styles. The traditions of Arabic ornamentation are blended here with French elements into a harmonious whole.

The endless, fascinating maze of narrow streets, alleys and tiny squares can be strolled endlessly. Discovering their secrets draws tourists in completely.

Meknes attractions

Mansura Gate :To the west of the mellah, or Jewish quarter, is the center of the old city. It can be accessed through the Mansura Gate (Bab el-Mansour), which is a magnificent monument in its own right. The gate is named after its architect. The building was completed in 1732, five years after the death of Ismail, who commissioned its construction. The intricate mosaic decorations are stunning and make the huge gate seem like a delicate, openwork structure. Moreover, the gate is decorated with ancient columns from Volubilis.

Plac Lalla Aouda :After passing through the gates of the gate, we will stand in Lalla Aouda Square, formerly serving as a meshwar, or place of parades and review of the sultan’s troops. During the heyday of the capital, the Sultan’s Black Guard consisted of 16 thousand black slaves. The square was then part of the royal palace complex of Dar el-Kebir. Originally it consisted of 24 separate framed sections with gardens and mosques, unfortunately Mulay Ismail’s son decided to demolish most of them.

Ismail’s Tomb :Behind the representative pavilion of Kubbat el-Khiyatin is now the tomb of Ismail. Despite the bad fame of the ruler, this tomb attracts crowds of pilgrims from all over the country. They probably come to it not only because of the beauty of the place and the desire to pay their respects to the former ruler, but also – or especially – because of the barakah, or blessing. Annual mussems are held here at the end of the harvest (usually on the last Thursday of August). The festival is accompanied by singing, dancing and fairs and fancy dress. Tourists are allowed only to the temple as only Muslims are allowed to the tomb.

Great Mosque :In the heart of the medina stands the Grand Mosque. Unfortunately on February 19, 2010 the minaret, decorated with green mosaics, collapsed.

The likely cause of the disaster was the devastating effects of heavy rains. Forty-one people died and more than 80 were injured in the collapse of the minaret and part of the roof. By staying on it, you agree to the use of cookies.Find out more – click here.Ok, I understand
Sultan buildings

The grandeur of the Sultan’s buildings is also evidenced by the royal gardens, which are closed to the public, the massive granaries with an air conditioning system that was innovative for the time, and the stables for 12,000 horses (unfortunately, the stables are now in ruins).

Medresa :The jewel of the medina is called the Medresa Bu Inania, which was founded by Abou Hassan Marini (1331-1351). This Koranic school is considered a masterpiece of Arabic architectural art. Its walls are covered with majolica, which is ceramics with opaque lead-tin glaze with extremely rich colors. In addition, noteworthy are the stucco, arabesques and sculptures made in olive wood. Mulay Idris madrasa is also interesting, mainly because of the very unusual minaret in the shape of a cylinder.

Other attractions :Interesting masterpieces can be admired in the museum Dar Jamaï, which houses, among other things, a collection of Berber kilims and ceramics, and after a busy tour, you can relax for a while in the Andalusian garden-museum.

Every year at the marabout of Sidi ben Aissy, on the day before Mohammed’s birthday, takes place one of the largest mussem in Morocco. Unfortunately, tourists who do not profess Islam are not allowed to enter the tomb.

New town :The new part of the city, the ville nouvelle, was built during the French protectorate on the opposite side of the Bu Fekran River. It is an orderly district with countless elegant villas and modern estates. Amidst the tropical greenery rise banks, expensive stores, exclusive restaurants and cafes. The French-style cafes attract visitors from afar with the scent of cardamom and cinnamon, which is added to the coffee served in large cups, called qahwa bil-halib. Coffee is best accompanied by almond croissants or exotic mango sorbet.

Olives and wine :Meknes city is famous not only for its monuments, but also for its olives and wine. The surrounding hills are an ideal place for the growth of these vines. The industry was started by the French, of course, but is still being successfully developed by Moroccan growers. To buy local wine, the best place to go shopping is the ville nouvelle.

Some of the most recommended red wines include: Les Coteaux de l’Atlas, Beni M’Tir Larroque Cabernet Sauvignon and Comtesse de Lacourtabalise. On the other hand, from white wines it is worth choosing: Beauvallon Chardonny and Medaillon Cabernet Sauvignon. Although these wines are not among the cheapest, they are worth tasting. After all, Morocco is an Islamic country and if only for this reason, the existence of local wineries is unusual.

Suki or fair :Of course in Meknes city, as in other Moroccan cities there are many souks. At the western gate of Bab Berrima there is a jewelry market, at the palace of Dar Jamai you can buy beautiful carpets, walking north from it you come to the spice and nut market. These are just examples of what the local traders have to offer.

PR-manager from Minsk Andrei Sidorov spent almost a month in Morocco, visited many cities like Tangier city, came down from the north to the south – and now generously shares with us his observations, tips and best practices. Andrei went there having fallen in love with the atmosphere of the movie “Only Lovers Survive” – and if you also like it, this series of materials is just made for you.

WHY TANGER city?

The Moroccan city of Tangier opens Africa to Europe. For half of the last century, the city was ruled by three or six European countries at the same time, which means that it was not controlled by anyone. Apart from the disparate colonial cultural influences, this meant maximum freedom in an Arab setting. Tangier became the center of attraction for European musicians, smugglers, spies, writers, diplomats, travelers, artists, entrepreneurs, and con artists. The Rolling Stones lived here, Burroughs died of drugs, Henri Matisse painted here. After the departure of the Europeans, the city fell silent, but remained steeped in a fermented atmosphere of creative pursuits. This made Tangier the hero of Jarmusch’s film Only Lovers Left Alive, after which you definitely want to get lost in the local locales.

Tangier reveals itself in a very arbitrary way. Living stories of the city over mint tea are told by random interlocutors or old European hippies who have not stopped coming back here since the 70s. At first the city seemed to me a peculiar but boring and dirty provincial marketplace. Then I didn’t notice how I stayed there for a week instead of three days, and later, in the south, I spent hours discussing the atmosphere of the city with other travelers and Moroccans.

HOW TO APPLY?

Belarusians and Ukrainians need a visa to visit Morocco. And the citizens of Belarus can apply for it exclusively through the Moroccan Embassy in Moscow. The set of documents is the same as for the Schengen visa, the cost – € 30. Minsk agencies do everything for about the same amount on top: I gave them just a passport and money. It takes about a week.

Today there is a ferry to Tangier city from the Spanish Tarifa. The cost of the ticket without a car/motorcycle is € 40. The passenger part of the ferry is something between a good train car and an airport lounge. Passport control, Duty Free and snack bars are all on board. The voyage takes just over an hour. This is the only flight that arrives at the city port. Knowing the direction, you can walk from the ferry ramp to the center of the medina (the historical part – note 34travel) in 10 minutes. The modern part of the city grows along the beach.

Alternative sea routes are from Algeciras and Gibraltar, but they lead to the port of Tanger-Med, 45 km from the city.

It is easier and more boring to get to Tangier by plane – Ryanair flies there. The airport is a 30-minute drive from the center. There are connections to the main European hubs: for example, on a flight from Brussels-Charleroi you can catch tickets for € 30-40.

If you are already in Morocco, there are comfortable trains to Tangier from all major cities in the country.

OLD TANGER

Moroccan cities, with some exceptions and regional features, are clearly and vividly divided into two completely different parts – new and old. Which, in fact, applies to all life in the country. Only the thousands of cafes with mint tea and strong coffee (which is usually the entire menu) remain unchanged anywhere.

The old city is probably exactly what you imagine when it comes to the Arab country. Endless streets-markets, kasbahs (fortresses), labyrinths of alleys, walking mosques, muezzin calls filling every corner, street-food fryers, loaded donkeys, riads, and colonial echoes. Chances are your hotel or hostel will be located there.

If, however, you want understandable tourist sites and entertaining guided tours, it’s not about Tangier. For a strong Moroccan color “as in the TV series “Clone” is better to go further south. Here the trade is quieter, there are no donkeys, market pestering and unsolicited escorts are not very much. There are no old palaces, large lush gardens and massive fortress walls, as in the imperial cities of the country. There are no “Towers of Pisa” at all.

To get to the medina of Tangier city, you just need to walk up from the port, beach or the central avenues of the city. On the way to it right on the streets scattered markets of vegetables, crockery and just stuff. Medina is crowned by the Kasbah – a separate quarter of the city – the most interesting for the tourist, yet clean and uncluttered.

You begin to understand the city in one of the endless gloomy coffee shops. Most likely, the waiter will be an older man in a strict uniform. He works in a preppy manner, as if he were serving not me in dusty sneakers but a monsieur colonist in a white hat. At the same time, it is unhurried and relaxed, like everything else in this country. From authentic dishes he routinely pours you milk in your coffee or tea in a cup – in time it will become a common, but terribly colorful daily ritual. Almost all coffee shops are full of a variety of smoke, and your table neighbor can share his pipe with you, whatever’s in it.

People around here speak a mixture of French, local Arabic and Spanish. Most will sustain a conversation in English as well. Portuguese and Italian are not uncommon either. Tourists are few, vagrants of all kinds are plentiful. I’m sure everyone will discover the city from different angles, but there are a few places to start your immersion in Tangier from.

Place du 9 Avril 1947 is the point from which to start the promenade around Tangier city. From here, the streets diverge into every quarter of the city and the entrance to the markets of the medina begins.

The old Cinema Rif not only works as intended, but also plays the role of an art space, a trendy coffee shop, and a place of attraction for progressive youth. The big guy behind the counter will tell you about all the events going on in town, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Jarmusch’s set – near the museum at the very top of the Kasbah you can find that same walk-through courtyard from Only Lovers Left Alive. As soon as I sat down on the bench from the poster, old man Abdulah appeared next to me with a bunch of stories about Tilda Swinton. Well, and about James Bond, who was also filmed here. But that’s what every other local kid is talking about.

Rolling Stones Music School – According to a legend I heard, the music school here was opened by the Rolling Stones while they were living in town and were inspired by the Moroccan mandolins. They say their house still has its own atmosphere, but I lost my guide on the way there, and with him the chances of finding the right building.

• The sons of the strait :the same music Mick Jagger was looking for in Tangier. Local grandpas, day after day, year after year, unpack their mandolins here and whisk visitors’ souls back and forth. Mint tea, carpets, and carved decorations are in place.
• Café Baba :a smoky joint under the Kasbah, where you can appreciate the city’s influence on Western culture from the portraits on the walls. Here you can also ask how to find the Rolling Stones music school.
• Hafa Tange Cafe :step terraces overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. There’s nothing unusual on the menu, but dozens of our heroes – from Burroughs to the Beatles – have drunk mint tea here. It’s quite far from the medina, which is great if the dusty and dirty markets already make your head ache.
• Tabadoul :cultural center on the conditional border between the old and the new part of the city, next to the port. Theater productions, debates, and other cultural programs.

NEW TANGER city

Thanks to its location on the European-African border and its free economic zones, Tangier city is rapidly growing and becoming rich. The new city is full of Spanish and French company offices, casinos, restaurants, and clubs. Unlike Fez and Marrakech, here the new city begins to grow right out of the old markets and flows seamlessly into modern avenues with business life and other trappings of a European place.

• I suggest that you start your run through the bars and clubs of the new city at the restaurant of the Chellah Hotel, where the colonial ambience is off the charts.

• If you don’t like it there, there are dozens of bars and cafes around Chellah, so a change of scenery is easy. Five hundred meters from there begins Mohammed Boulevard 5, the backbone of the new city, around which all life is buzzing. Parallel to the beach stretches Boulevard Mohammed 6, where there are many pubs and restaurants with live music. The beach itself is actively being improved, quite suitable for sunbathing, but the locals still go out of town.

• Tangier bars tend to serve tapas with drinks – and sometimes these snacks are very generous. Don’t be in a hurry to order the main course – perhaps along with a 0.25 beer Speciale, the waitress will make the table full of fish, seafood, salad and meat cuts, as they do at Le coeur de tanger’s chalet karaoke restaurant.

• Locals recommend Number One, Restaurant Bachir, The Tangerinn Pub, London’s Pub, and La Bodega bar, among others. There’s also La Luna Club and La Rose Bleu – they’re away from the tourist trails.

In general, local establishments do not differ much from European ones. But you have to be prepared that alcohol will be more expensive, and the atmosphere in some bars and clubs makes you nostalgic for our 90s.

A nice bonus for boozing is the cheap Tangier cabs. Turquoise Renaults are safe to hail off the side. Two dollars is the red price for most routes. That’s pretty much the same for all of Morocco.

TANGERA SUBURBAN

To travel between cities, locals use Grand Taxi. This is a separate ride – one old Mercedes benz passenger car is loaded with a driver and five passengers. And that’s not the limit. One of them is forced to ride as a gearshift. But you can get to the nearest suburbs for a relatively small amount of money. For longer distances I still advise to look for an alternative in the form of buses, trains (to major cities) and hitchhiking.

Near Tangier (formally within the city limits) you can find the Hercules Caves. Meeting the sunset there is a must do according to the tourist guides. It is really a beautiful spectacle, but if you are short of time, you should not come here to watch the sunset.

Around the caves are the first African beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are clean and not crowded, so you can spend a day on them. True, it’s better to know the temperature of the water in advance – it can be too refreshing in the ocean.

Between the city and the caves is Cape Spartel, which cuts through the Atlantic Ocean and the Strait of Gibraltar. The lighthouse, the cape, the ocean – the cards come out as cinematically as possible.

OTHER CITIES IN THE NORTH

The buses and Grand Taxi go from Gare Routière de Tangier city to Chavin (Chefchaouen), and you have to be there. It is exactly as it is painted in the tourist brochures. All the houses are painted in hundreds of shades of blue and azure. And this is not an attraction for foreigners – these are homes, they live simple Moroccans with their simple affairs, as if they have not changed since the move from Andalusia.

The eyes go crazy in these white and blue mazes. And when you get out of them, you find yourself in an expanse of green mountains. If you’ve played Heroes 3, you’ll recognize the cliffs here from the elven castle. On the outskirts of the city, springs and creeks run, and there’s a system of toy canals. Fruit is cooled in them, and stone laundry pavilions are built (some are still used for their intended purpose), next to which people escape the heat. One creek over a stone bridge flows over another, enters a third – and adults stagger in all this splash happy as children. And there is also a delicious goat cheese here. There are really a lot of tourists, so it’s better to come to Chavin on a weekday. From the nightlife there is only one bar near the hotel Parador.

The other interesting cities of Asila and Larache are 50 and 80 kilometers from Tangier respectively. You can spend a day or two in their streets and neighborhoods in search of pirate coves, Roman-Phoenician-Carthage ruins and ornate Arab facades. Compared to Chavin, white predominates here. Buses and cabs leave from the same Tangier city bus station.

And one last thing: Tetouan. According to some accounts, until recently it was a city of smugglers and full of shady characters. Today, a small number of tourists – mostly Spanish – choose the city for its relative, by Moroccan standards, quiet, mountains, prices and proximity to the Mediterranean beaches. From here it is also convenient to make outings throughout the Moroccan north.

Ironwood, pictured here, grows in the African semi-deserts. The Moroccan argan oil extract is obtained by pressing. The expensive product of golden yellow color, reminiscent of pumpkin seeds in taste, is a valuable cosmetic remedy and unsurpassed culinary additive.

What is argan oil?

From the fruits of argania (lat. argania) experts make a special vegetable oil, which has many uses. In the cuisine of southwestern Morocco gourmets use argania oil in cooking. For cosmetic purposes it is used because of its medicinal properties. This product is one of the rarest oils, as the range of the argana plant is extremely limited and is protected by UNESCO. Moroccan authorities prohibit the export of the fruit of the tree, but in processed form it can be exported to other countries.

Composition

Unlike olive oil, the composition of argan oil is famous for its high content of “vitamins of youth” E, A, F. The product is rich in tocopherols and polyphenols – natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effect. The peculiarity of argan oil from others is the presence of very rare substances, for example, sterols. They remove inflammation and have desensitizing properties. The rest, no less useful substances:

1. polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-6, omega-9, palmitic acid, stearic acid, ferulic acid;
2. carotenoids;
3. triterpene alcohols;
4. natural antioxidant squalene.

Properties

For medical purposes, argan oil is used in diseases of the heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, to eliminate muscle and joint pain, infectious diseases, chicken pox, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease. The beneficial properties of argan oil help treat dermatological diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, acne. The oil extract is used for rapid tissue repair of scars, burns, scars, abrasions and wounds.

In cosmetology it is used for complex skin care, affecting not only the epidermis, but also the dermis. It moisturizes the skin, nourishes it, protects it from negative effects of the environment, removes wrinkles and reduces their depth, stops aging. Argan oil moisturizes the cuticle, strengthens the nail plate, improves the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes. Hair becomes soft, elastic, strong, without split ends.

If you combine everything, then you can distinguish the following actions that the product has on the body:

• regenerative;

• moisturizing;

• analgesic;

• anti inflammatory;

• tonic;

• antioxidant.

What is useful for argan oil

Argan oil is famous for its unique chemical composition. Substances called sterols are necessary for the skin, and in combination with oleic acid (omega-9) prevent the absorption of harmful cholesterol from the intestines into the blood. The rest of the acids are needed to activate the body’s defenses, to maintain immunity and to improve the wound healing process. The benefits of argan oil are in ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system with the help of vitamin E.

Moroccan oil is valued for its ability to quickly penetrate into the blood and bones, it slows down the processes of destruction in tissues in rheumatism and arthritis, helps with problems with the digestive tract. The magical quality of “liquid Moroccan gold” lies in the inhibition of the aging process: massage with the product will strengthen the muscle tissue.

Types

Depending on the scope of use, degree of purification and method of production, argan oil is divided into 3 types: cold-pressed from roasted seeds, cosmetic from unroasted seeds, cold-pressed from unroasted argan seeds. The roasted seeds are used only in food industry, and the cold-pressed unroasted ones are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes because of the high concentration of beneficial substances for the human body, although they can also be used in cooking.

Argan oil – application

Edible oil is subjected to heat treatment and is characterized by a dark color and pronounced taste. The light color indicates frequent filtration processes. The product should not be subjected to overheating, because otherwise it can lose all its useful properties. Traditional Moroccan amlu paste is made from almonds, argan oil, honey, and is served with bread for breakfast.

The use of argan oil in cooking is popular because of its organoleptic properties. Slight roasting of argan tree fruits produces an amazing hazelnut and almond flavor. Cooks love to add argan oil to various sauces, fish and couscous. Cosmetic applications of argan oil are not only benefits for the skin, improving the condition of nails and hair, but also to get rid of stretch marks during pregnancy.

For hair

As described above, Moroccan argan oil for hair is the best solution to get rid of dullness. It can be used alone or in complex mixtures with additional ingredients, for example, with almond oil and hazelnuts. A great recipe for brittle hair and split ends: 1 tsp. argan oil, instead of balm, should be applied on the entire length of the hair after washing. To get rid of dandruff, you need to wash your hair and rub the oil into the roots. After 20 minutes, rinse your hair, shampoo and conditioner.

If hair is falling out, it is necessary to take a course of treatment with cosmetic argan oil (2 months). For this purpose, it is necessary to apply the product 1-2 times a week at night or 40 minutes before shampooing. The bulk of the product is placed on the roots and scalp. To provide protection from UV rays and humidity, 2 tbsp. of oil elixir should be applied before washing the head and left for half an hour. You can wear a plastic bag and warm a towel. Shampoo your hair thoroughly.

For face

The advantage of argan oil is that it is suitable for all skin types, just find your recipe. Judging by the reviews on the Internet, for problematic skin prepare a mask of argan and almond oil extracts (1 tsp. each), blue clay (1 tbsp.). The mixture should be diluted with water to the state of sour cream and apply to the skin. When dry, rinse. The procedure should be carried out 2 times in 7 days, for a whole month. Argan oil for the face will help to get rid of flakiness, but to do this, you need to whip with a mixer 1 egg white and mix with 1 tbsp. of the oil elixir. Apply in layers and wash off after 20 minutes.

For skin

In case of skin damage, the oil elixir is applied spot-on to burns, wounds and abrasions. It should be rubbed in until the tissues recover and heal. Argan oil for the skin provides perfect care for the body, you just need to add a few drops to your lotion or other products. A mixture of argan (1 tbsp.) and tangerine (10 drops) oil extracts can help against stretch marks. For smooth skin on hands, add 5 drops to an ordinary cream. To strengthen the nails, the oil elixir is applied together with lemon juice.

Cosmetics based on argan oil

The source of skin health is argan oil in cosmetology. Ecotesting cosmetics are not harmful to the environment. Plant materials are 100% natural, which reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Organic products made according to the Moroccan recipe are delicate, do not cause irritation, contain no parabens, dyes, chemicals. According to the numerous positive reviews on the use of argan oil, testify to its demand and use in beauty salons, manufacturers of natural cosmetics.

Hair Mask

Strengthening mask with argan oil for hair is made with the addition of another ingredient, burdock or castor oil extract (2 tbsp. each). Means as a quick balm does not require washing: you need to moisten your hands with the oil elixir and apply to the hair. Moisturizing mask is made from lavender (10 drops), argan (1 tsp.), olive (2 tsp.), sage (5 drops) oil extracts, egg yolk.

Cream

To take care of the condition of the skin will help cream with argan oil for the face. It is best to use the product separately, apply it to specific areas. Argan eye cream eliminates wrinkles and gently cares for the skin around the eyes. You can mix the product with regular cream, which will enhance the properties of both products. To do this, take 1 tsp. of argan oil extract and mix it with 1 tbsp. of the usual cosmetics.

How to use argan oil

Slightly heated product is better absorbed, so the jar should be placed in lukewarm water before use. The use of argan oil on clean skin promotes the absorption of micronutrients. It is necessary to remove all remnants of cosmetics from the face and use a scrub. Warm oil extract should be applied to the skin with massaging movements. Due to the light texture the product is quickly absorbed, but after 1 hour it is necessary to remove the remains with a paper towel. Excess oil elixir indicates that the skin has already absorbed the amount of vitamins it needs.

How to store

The product should be kept in a container protected from sunlight. In most cases, when you buy the oil extract, it is already in a bottle of dark color. The neck of the container should be narrow or you should buy a drip bottle, so the argan oil will be stored for a long time. The shelf life of the product is not more than 2 years, so if the indicated date of storage is longer, it means that the product contains chemical additives. In this way it is possible to distinguish a fake.

The art of “Fantasia” is one of the oldest and most ancient Moroccan arts that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries, as Moroccans have always wanted to educate and train their children in horseback riding and fighting, which developed into shooting while galloping with horses, known as tabourida.

Many festivals are organized for this art, in which families and tribes compete to show the skills of their children, including the Mansouriya Festival for traditional horsemanship and Taburida, which is currently held in Mansouriya, south of the capital, Rabat, in its thirteenth session of its second edition.

Mansouriya festival

The Mansouriya festival is one of the oldest and oldest equestrian festivals and tabourdeh of Morocco, as it is an ancient annual tradition dating back more than eighty years, and it was called the season of the good Wali Sidi Mohamed Al-Sharqi and Taburida Teams from different cities and regions of Moroccan fantasia have participated in it, while 19 teams of 19 participated in its current session A different destination city of the entire Kingdom of Morocco.

Al-Taburida festivals are distinguished by its rituals and atmosphere, while the teams and tribes compete wearing brightly colored traditional clothing, accompanied by swords and firearms, being an integral part of the general appearance of Faris al-Taburida, as well as participating in the acquisition of the strongest and finest types of horses that participate in the show.

The performance begins with the group advancing and greeting the spectators by raising the guns, then running quickly with horses and guns that are called “gunpowder” and from there came the name “tabourdeh”. The criterion of excellence between the teams is the tight organization in the group’s clothing and at the time of launching and hitting the gunpowder.The team continued to fire the powder at the same time as the most acclaimed.

A number of knights participating in the festival said that they worked in jobs and jobs that are completely removed from riding and horses. Some of them work in government jobs as accountants and engineers, including doctors and teachers, and some of them are immigrants in European countries and they spend thousands of dollars to complete this show.

Among them is Qarqur al-Khalil (43), a government employee, who told “Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed” that he loves the art of tabouridah that is passed on from generation to generation and taught from one generation to another.

What are the Moroccan cities where the art of Fantasia is held?

The inhabitants of the region of Moulay Yacoub lived for four days, from August 17 to August 21 this year, to the rhythm of the activities of the festival Tebourida organized by the Association Nasr for Borrowing, Culture and Development, which revived this culture and sports event aimed at protecting and preserving the Moroccan cultural heritage represented in Paying attention to the rebellion and restore respect for the heritage of the Persians and riding, which is one of the components of the authentic Moroccan identity and civilization, especially since the Ain Al Shaqaf The region with its tribes had done well and was present to defend the issues and the resistance of the nation against the colonialists, given that the taborida, or as it is called in Amazigh, “invades” the art The traditional Moroccan horsemanship, or “Taborida”, and its aesthetics of the decoration of the horse and the elegance of the knight, until the fifteenth century AD. As for the origin of the name, it is derived from the gunpowder fired by guns during the parade. The torrida is a ceremonial ritual as it appears now, but it was originally an equestrian and war ritual. And the power of the knights.

Moroccan Fantasia in Region of Moulay Yacoub

The most famous squadrons belonging to regions known for their close relationship with the Persians and their national and international presence in various forums of interest to the Persians participated in this festival, which coincides with the celebration by the Moroccan people of the anniversary of the King’s revolution. and the people and the glorious youth festival and the glorious milestones that they represent in the modern history of Morocco
Through this festival, which seeks to perpetuate the tradition of interest in horseback riding that the ancestors embraced, the organizers bet on the interest in horseback riding and riding, which was a prominent feature bearing the traits of identity and authentic civilization, the Arab horse. as a core, an indication of the investment of cultural heritage to serve the development in the region and the region and contribute to the advancement of the sector Al-Falahi, as well as motivate the youth of the region to inherit this interest, to preserve it, and ensure its continuity.

The audience, which made the pilgrimage of the tribes fond of Persians and raised them on the site of this regional match, witnessed a series of performances of the art of “taborida” and authentic local heritage, with the participation of equestrian teams from the region. level, which were accompanied by performances of songs, moans and cries, indicating heroic positions.

This session, which was held in the area of Ras al-Ma’a affiliated with the Trabia community of Ain al-Shaqaf, as Hassan Belmodh, a parliamentary adviser to the constituency of Moulay Yacoub confirmed to the newspaper, to document the cultural heritage and contribute to the preservation of local heritage and experiences.

Moroccan berber

Throughout Morocco you can find inscriptions on buildings and signs made in an alien language. This inscription means “Technopark,” and it is in Moroccan berber. Yes, yes, there is such a thing. We were lucky: in Berber, “Technopark” is “Teknubark. Such a coincidence allows us to read the inscription. You have to read it from left to right, then you can recognize some familiar letters. The cross looks like the letter “T”, the zigzag looks like the letter “E”. The last letter looks almost like a “K”. The rest of the letters are unrecognizable and do not look like Latin letters.

There are several Moroccan berber languages. Almost 90% of Moroccan berber speak one of the seven Berber languages. They all differ slightly from each other. On a domestic level, we would call them dialects.

Berber languages use different alphabets for writing. For many years these disparate writing systems have been trying to unify. The most successful attempt is the alphabet “New Tifinag”, which was developed in Morocco in 2003. It is in the New Tifinag that the majority of Berber inscriptions in Morocco are made.

The Moroccan berber language is written and spoken.

The word “berber” is one-kin to the word “barbarian” and came to us from Greek, in which it meant any foreigner. The self-name of the people, of course, has no barbarian connotations. Berbers call themselves Amazigh, free people.

Free people live in different countries. Most Berbers live in Morocco – from 14 to 20 million people by various estimates. Algeria is in second place: 9 to 13 million Berbers live there. The other countries are far behind: Libya is in third place with 4 million, then Mauritania and France with 2.5 million Berbers.

The homeland of the Berbers can be rightly called Morocco, because not only that Morocco has more Berbers than anywhere else, but the Berbers also make up half of the population. That is a lot.

What do Moroccan berber look like and where do they live? we see colorful pictures of people wrapped in an indigo tagelmust and dressed in the national dress galabeya.

I have already said in a general review of Morocco that this is a collective image. Indeed, the tagelmust and the galabeya are the Moroccan berber national dress. But few people wear them every day. Mainly because Berbers live in the countryside, mountains or desert. In such conditions, beautiful, expensive clothes are not worn for a long time. They get dirty and tear very quickly. They are dressed like that only on holidays. Or it is the way urban dwellers wear their clothes.

Berbers live all over Morocco, but their traditional home is remote villages and hamlets. Many of them live as hermits in the desert and mountains. Most, however, prefer small settlements.

Berber villages

There are very poorly equipped. There is no asphalt, no running water, and electricity was not installed very long ago. A typical Berber village is Ourika, forty kilometers from Marrakech.

There is a Berber museum in Ourika with a bunch of exhibits, mostly functional: plows, stupas, oil churns, knives, scythes, millstones.

The head of the museum in the middle of nowhere surprisingly speaks good Russian.

Salah is very fond of riddles. Showing each object in the museum, he asks you to guess what it is and what it is for. You do not always remember the right word even in your own language, not to mention English. But Salah himself prompts: “This one is called melnitis.”

But most of all Salah likes to talk about Berber carpets. It turns out that whole stories are encoded in these carpets.

Moroccan berber carpet

Are a system of writing. The basis of the cipher is two figures. A triangle represents a man, a rhombus represents a woman. The rhombuses and triangles are constantly repeated on the rug and make up the framework of the story.

Colors are then added to the figures. Their meaning is quite fuzzy, but most often green means heaven, blue means a child. Yellow may additionally signify a man and red a woman.

The various combinations and repetitions of figures and colors give an uncomplicated story. For example, in this rug, the rhombuses are repeated on both sides. There are a total of 24 rhombuses in the figure. This is how the woman, who is 24 years old, is encoded.

Inside is a schematic drawing of a man. His head is painted green and shaped like a rhombus, once again indicating a woman. The body, on the other hand, is painted yellow.

The whole cipher means that the woman, 24 years old, is pregnant with a boy. This rug was given as a birthday present.

This is the simplest pattern. Carpets can be much more complicated, and Berbers alone can figure out what’s what. It took Salah an hour to tell us about the carpets.

By the way, these rags are hardly suitable as a rug-they’re made of who knows what. It could be strings or plant stalks. To lie on such a carpet is hardly comfortable, just to put it as a rug near the door. But Berbers are very poor, so for them this rag is a carpet.

If the carpets are not interesting to look at, you can ask Salah to show you his house. For a small fee, the Berbers will be happy to give you a tour of a perfectly miserable dwelling.

Village of the berbers

Are made out of nothing. It looks like clay and straw mixed with bricks and concrete. All the buildings are inordinately cheap and flimsy, and there is nothing around – dirt and ruins.

You should not think that it is always hot in Morocco. Ourika is close to the Atlas Mountains, and it is quite cold in winter. It’s only +10 degrees Celsius during the day in rainy weather, but at night it can be freezing.

The flimsy clay houses let all the water in. They get flooded during the rains, which does not add to comfort.

But the house is cold in the warm season as well. It is specially built so that it is not hot in summer. Even in the heat, not all corners of the house are well heated. That is why every Berber house has a stove.

The stove is arranged so as to warm not only the house, but also the barn with animals. In the basement of the house Berbers keep cattle: cows and donkeys.

Of course, the smell from the cattle is unreal. It makes you want to vomit. Salah explains: “The cattle are warmed by the stove, and they shit and breathe, so they additionally heat the house.

Moroccan berber food

There is another stove in the house. It is used for cooking food. Berbers cook food either in a pot, if it is soup and meat, or by rolling directly on a clay oven, if it is flatbread.

There are many rooms in the house. The poorer the people, the better they breed and multiply. The Berbers have huge families, sometimes with several dozen people.

But all the rooms in the house are dark, like storerooms. It is very difficult to live in such conditions.

There are also women in Berber villages. In their spare time from building a house, plowing the land and walking the cattle, Berber women are busy whipping butter. The most delicious butter in the world.

After the milk is obtained from the cow, it is poured into the butter churn. The butter churn in reality is very different from the museum. While in the museum there is a wooden mortar with a handle, in reality the butter is churned in a ten-liter plastic bottle suspended from the ceiling.

The butter is whipped for hours. The woman sits on a small chair and continuously, for hours, shakes the butter churn back and forth over a small fire.

Salt is added to the butter while it is being whipped. This is not done for flavor, but for storage. There are often hungry, bad harvest years. So they salt the butter and store it in large barrels. If the year is bad, the oil is removed from the salt and eaten.

It turns out that the salty taste of such butter is not an afterthought, but just a consequence of salting. After salting, the oil can’t be cleaned completely, so it remains slightly salty.