Culture & Etiquette
678 questions · page 18 of 19
What was the era of the Barbary corsairs (pirates) in Morocco?
The Barbary corsairs were North African privateers who, from roughly the 1500s to the early 1800s, raided Mediterranean and Atlantic shipping and coastal towns, seizing cargo and captives for ransom or slavery. In Morocco, the port of Salé became a famous corsair stronghold — home to the semi-independent "Republic of Salé."
Read the answerWhat was the Battle of the Three Kings?
The Battle of the Three Kings (1578), fought near Ksar el-Kebir in northern Morocco, was a major battle in which three rulers died: Morocco's Sultan Abd al-Malik, his pretender rival, and Portugal's young King Sebastian, whose invading army was crushed. It ended Portuguese ambitions in Morocco and triggered Portugal's loss of independence to Spain.
Read the answerWhat was the Green March of 1975?
The Green March (November 1975) was a mass demonstration in which around 350,000 unarmed Moroccan civilians, organised by King Hassan II, marched into the Spanish-held territory of the Western Sahara to press Morocco's claim to it. Spain soon withdrew, and the territory's status remains a disputed, sensitive issue today.
Read the answerWho is King Mohammed VI of Morocco?
Mohammed VI has been King of Morocco since 1999, when he succeeded his father Hassan II. He is the current monarch of the Alaouite dynasty and head of state. His reign has been marked by major infrastructure projects, social and legal reforms, and Morocco's push toward tourism, renewable energy, and economic modernisation.
Read the answerWhat was Tangier's "International Zone" spy era?
From 1923 to 1956, Tangier was an "International Zone" jointly administered by several foreign powers rather than belonging to one colonial ruler. This neutral, loosely governed status made it a famous haven for spies, smugglers, exiles, artists, and writers — giving the city its legendary cosmopolitan, intrigue-soaked reputation.
Read the answerWhat is Yves Saint Laurent's connection to Marrakech?
French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent fell in love with Marrakech from his first visit in 1966, and he and his partner Pierre Bergé bought the city's Jardin Majorelle in 1980, saving and restoring it. The garden, its cobalt-blue villa, and a dedicated YSL museum are now top Marrakech attractions; after his death in 2008, his ashes were scattered there.
Read the answerWho was Ibn Khaldun and what is his Moroccan link?
Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) was a North African scholar widely regarded as a founder of sociology, historiography, and economics. Though born in Tunis, he spent formative, productive years in Morocco — serving rulers in Fes, then a leading intellectual centre — where he developed the ideas behind his masterwork, the Muqaddimah.
Read the answerWhat was the Rif War led by Abd el-Krim?
The Rif War (1921–1926) was an uprising of Berber tribes in northern Morocco's Rif mountains, led by Abd el-Krim, against Spanish colonial rule. After a stunning early victory at the Battle of Annual in 1921, he founded a short-lived Republic of the Rif. A massive combined Spanish–French campaign eventually defeated him in 1926.
Read the answerWho was Marshal Lyautey, the French resident-general?
Hubert Lyautey was the first French resident-general of Morocco, governing the protectorate from 1912 to 1925. A soldier and administrator, he is known for preserving Morocco's ancient medinas by building new European "villes nouvelles" beside them rather than over them — a policy that shaped the layout of cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Fes.
Read the answerWhat is the Alaouite dynasty, the current royal family?
The Alaouite dynasty has ruled Morocco since the mid-1600s, making it one of the world's longest-reigning royal families. Claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad, it produced powerful sultans like Moulay Ismail and today's King Mohammed VI. The dynasty unified Morocco and has remained its ruling house for over 350 years.
Read the answerWhat was Morocco's role in WWII and the Casablanca Conference?
Morocco was a key Allied foothold in WWII: the 1942 "Operation Torch" landings brought American forces ashore near Casablanca. In January 1943, Roosevelt and Churchill held the Casablanca Conference there, agreeing Allied strategy and the "unconditional surrender" policy. Moroccan soldiers also fought in large numbers for the Allies in Europe.
Read the answerHow do you say hello and basic greetings in Moroccan Darija?
Say "Salam" (sa-LAAM) for an easy hello, or the fuller "Salam ou3likum" (sa-LAAM oo-a-lay-koom). Reply "Wa 3likum salam". Ask how someone is with "Labas?" (la-BAASS) — they answer "Labas, hamdullah". "Sbah lkhir" is good morning; "msa lkhir" good evening.
Read the answerHow do you say thank you and please in Moroccan Darija?
Thank you is "Shukran" (SHOOK-ran); add "bzzaf" (b-ZAFF) for "thank you very much". Please is "Afak" (a-FAK) to a man, "Afakum" to a group. You're welcome is "La shukran 3la wajib" or simply "bla jmil" (bla-JMEEL). "Smeh liya" means "excuse me / sorry".
Read the answerHow do you say yes and no in Moroccan Darija?
Yes is "Iyeh" (EE-yeh); a softer "ok/fine" is "Wakha" (WA-kha). No is "La" (LAH). "Maybe/God willing" is "Inshallah" (in-sha-LLAH). To politely decline, "La, shukran" (no, thanks). "Safi" (SA-fee) means "enough / that's all / done".
Read the answerHow do you ask "how much?" and bargain in Moroccan Darija?
"How much?" is "Bsh-hal?" (b-sh-HAL). To bargain: "Ghali bzzaf" (GHA-lee b-ZAFF — too expensive), "Naqqes shwiya" (NA-qess shwee-ya — lower it a bit), and counter with "Ana n3tik..." (a-na n-a-TEEK — I'll give you...). Walk away calmly with "La, shukran" to drop the price.
Read the answerHow do you say "no thank you" to touts and persistent vendors in Darija?
Say "La, shukran" (LAH SHOOK-ran — no, thank you), clearly and once. To a faux-guide offering directions, "La, 3arf triq" (LAH, ARF treeq — no, I know the way). Firm closers: "Safi!" (SA-fee — enough) and "Allah y3awn" (a-LLAH y-AWN — may God help you), a polite blessing that ends the exchange.
Read the answerWhat numbers do I need in Darija for prices and shopping?
Core counts: wahed (1), jouj (2), tlata (3), reb3a (4), khamsa (5), setta (6), seb3a (7), tmnya (8), tes3oud (9), 3ashra (10). Then miya (100) and alf (1000). Prices use dirham (derhem); "rial" still means 1/20 dirham in old markets — always confirm "bedderhem?".
Read the answerHow do you say "where is...?" in Moroccan Darija?
"Where is...?" is "Fin...?" (FEEN). Useful asks: "Fin l-7ammam?" (FEEN l-ham-mam — where's the toilet?), "Fin taxi?", "Fin l-medina?". Directions you'll hear: "nishan" (nee-SHAN — straight), "limen" (LEE-men — right), "lisser" (LEE-ser — left), "qrib" (close), "b3id" (far).
Read the answerHow do you order food and say "delicious" in Moroccan Darija?
Order with "Bghit..." (b-GHEET — I want...): "Bghit tajine", "Bghit atay" (mint tea). "The bill, please" is "L7sab, afak" (l-h-SAB, a-FAK). Say "Bnin bzzaf!" (b-NEEN b-ZAFF — very delicious) and compliment the cook with "Allah y3tik saha" (a-LLAH y-a-TEEK SA-ha).
Read the answerHow do you say "I don't understand" and "do you speak English?" in Darija?
"I don't understand" is "Ma fhemtsh" (ma-FHEMT-sh). "Do you speak English?" is "Wash kat3ref negliziya?" (wash kat-REF neg-lee-ZEE-ya) or just "Negliziya?". Helpful too: "Bshwiya, afak" (slowly, please), "3awd, afak" (a-AWD — repeat, please), and "Wash kat3ref francais?" for French.
Read the answerWhat polite phrases show respect in Moroccan Darija?
Respect lives in blessings: "Inshallah" (God willing), "Hamdullah" (thank God), "Allah y3tik saha" (may God give you health), "Allah ybarek" (God bless — when admiring), and "Bsmillah" (in God's name — said before eating). Address elders with "a sidi" (sir) or "a lalla" (madam).
Read the answerHow do you say goodbye in Moroccan Darija?
The everyday goodbye is "Bslama" (b-SLA-ma — go in peace). "See you later" is "Nshufek men ba3d" (n-SHOO-fek men BA-ad). For "good night" say "Tsbah 3la khir" (TS-bah a-la kheer). Parting blessings: "Allah ysehel" (safe travels) and "Triq slama" (good road / safe journey).
Read the answerWhat essential Darija words should every visitor to Morocco learn?
The top ten: Salam (hello), Shukran (thanks), Afak (please), Iyeh/La (yes/no), Wakha (ok), Bsh-hal (how much), La shukran (no thanks), Bnin (delicious), Inshallah (God willing), and Bslama (goodbye). Add Smeh liya (excuse me) and Labas (how are you) and you can navigate almost any daily moment.
Read the answerHow is Moroccan Darija different from standard Arabic?
Darija is the spoken Moroccan dialect — heavily shaped by Berber (Amazigh), French and Spanish, with dropped vowels and unique words ("jouj" for two, not "ithnayn"). Standard Arabic (Fusha) is the formal written language of media and signs. They sound very different; Darija is rarely written and even Middle Eastern Arabs struggle to follow it.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the blue city — why is Chefchaouen painted blue?
Nobody can prove a single reason. The popular theories: Jewish refugees brought blue (a spiritual colour) in the 1930s; blue repels mosquitoes; it keeps walls cool in summer; and — honestly — it now sells. Whatever started it, the town repaints every year because visitors love it.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the tree-climbing goats — are they real?
Real, but with an asterisk. Goats genuinely climb argan trees to eat the fruit, mostly in the Souss valley between Marrakech and Agadir. But many roadside 'goats in a tree' are placed there and tied loosely by farmers who charge tourists for photos. The behaviour is natural; the staged tableau often isn't.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the Fes tannery smell — and why do they hand you mint?
The Chouara tannery in Fes still cures leather the medieval way, using pigeon droppings, cow urine and lime — which smells exactly as bad as it sounds. Shops give you a sprig of fresh mint to hold under your nose. It genuinely helps, and it lets you actually enjoy one of the world's great sights.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the Jemaa el-Fna snake charmers?
It's a genuine, centuries-old Marrakech tradition — and also an aggressive tourist trade. The cobras are usually defanged or have mouths sewn, the 'charming' is theatre (snakes react to movement, not music), and the moment you photograph or get a snake draped on you, expect a firm demand for cash.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the carpet shop 'tea and no pressure' routine?
It's a genuine ritual and a sales technique at once. The mint tea, the cushions, rug after rug unrolled with a flourish — it's real Moroccan hospitality, and it's also designed to make you feel obliged to buy. Enjoy it, but go in clear-eyed: you can drink the tea and still walk out with nothing.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with the spice-pyramid stalls in the souk?
Those perfect cones of saffron-yellow, paprika-red and cumin-brown are mostly for the camera. Some are real spices, but the brightest 'spice mountains' are often dyed display pieces, and 'saffron' at souvenir prices is usually safflower or dyed threads. The real spices are sold from sacks behind the show.
Read the answerWhat's the deal with rooftop 'viewpoint' tips — and the tip they expect?
Someone offers to show you the 'best viewpoint' or 'secret rooftop' over the tannery, square or medina. Usually it's a real, lovely view — and the rooftop belongs to a shop, so a tip (and a sales pitch) is the price. A few dirhams is fair if you accept; just know it's never truly free.
Read the answerHow do you say "sorry" or "excuse me" in Moroccan Darija?
The all-purpose word is "smHa-li" (smah-LEE) — it covers both "sorry" and "excuse me." Use it to apologise, to squeeze past someone in a crowded souk, or to get attention before asking a question. For "excuse me, sir/madam" add "a sidi" (man) or "a lalla" (woman).
Read the answerHow do you say "help" in Moroccan Darija?
To ask someone to help you, say "3teqni" (a-TEK-nee) or "3awenni" (a-WEN-nee) — both mean "help me." In a genuine emergency, shout "3teqni!" loudly; people will respond. To offer help to others, say "wesh n3awnek?" (wesh na-OW-nek) — "can I help you?"
Read the answerHow do you ask for water or the bill in Moroccan Darija?
For water, say "3afak, lma" (a-FAK, l-MA) — "please, water." For the bill in a café or restaurant, say "l-7sab, 3afak" (l-HSAB, a-FAK) — "the bill, please." Add "bezzaf" for "a lot" or specify "lma bared" (l-MA BA-red) for cold water.
Read the answerHow do you say left, right, and straight on in Moroccan Darija?
Left is "lisar" (lee-SAR), right is "limen" (lee-MEN), and straight on is "nishan" (nee-SHAN). To ask for directions, say "fin ...?" (FEEN), "where is ...?". "Hna" (h-NA) means "here" and "temma" (TEM-ma) means "there."
Read the answerHow do you say today, tomorrow, and yesterday in Moroccan Darija?
Today is "lyoum" (l-YOOM), tomorrow is "ghedda" (GHED-da), and yesterday is "lbar7" (l-BAR-eh). Useful add-ons: "daba" (DA-ba) means "now," "men be3d" (men-BARD) means "later," and "ghedda f-sbaH" (GHED-da f-SBAH) means "tomorrow morning."
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