Morocco - Ethnic Groups
Moroccans are very proud of their country and have a strong sense of national identity. This is largely due to a history of independent rule. Although it could be argued that Morocco lost its independent rule to the Arabs, and later the French, Moroccans do not perceive it this way. Since most Moroccans consider themselves Arab they do not see the Arab arrival in Morocco as an invasion or violation of sovereignty. They hold some hostility toward France’s role in Moroccan history, but they also know that they were treated much better than neighboring states like Algeria. Because France gave special treatment to Morocco, many do not view this as an occupation and still consider Morocco to have a history free from foreign rule.
Even though Morocco has had numerous internal battles, they have united as one nation when foreign nations have attacked. Whereas the Turks unified most of the Arab world under the Ottoman Empire, they were unable to conquer Morocco. Moroccans also joined together to fight off colonialism during the nationalist movement in the 1940s. Most recently, Moroccans have put their differences aside in a common concern over the rising Islamic fundamentalism. Moroccans view their country as progressive and tolerant. It is not appropriate for visitors to criticize Moroccan history, politics, or policies.
Berbers
Some archeologists believe that the Berbers arrived in the second century BC. The basic social and political organization revolved around the extended family. Families banded together to form clans and clans joined together to form tribes. Independence is extremely important to Berbers and they have proven they are willing to fight for it. The Berbers have been instrumental in fending off foreign invaders. Fighting between and within tribes and clans was common but the Berbers usually joined together to confront invaders.
Some tribes converted to Christianity and Judaism during the first century. Most of the Berbers became Muslims after the Arab arrival in the 7th century. Although the Berbers converted to Islam, they did so on their own terms and combined aspects of tribal religions with Islamic practices. Many Berbers still practice pre-Islamic beliefs along with Islam.
Women in Berber societies play a larger role in the economy than in most Arab societies. Women do much of the work, including physical labor. Berber women are often somewhat independent and have property rights.
Today Berbers are defined mostly by their common language. Berber lifestyles vary depending on location. Those who live in the mountainous areas have kept their traditional lifestyles. As the economic conditions in the rural areas continue to decline, many Berbers have moved to more urban areas. These Berbers tend to adapt to a more modern lifestyle.
Berber nationalism has grown in recent years. Berbers are now demanding more recognition of their language and culture. King Mohammed VI is part Berber and has been receptive to the cause. Berber language is beginning to be taught in Moroccan public schools. Some Berbers object to the term “Berber” because it means “barbarian.” Instead, they refer to themselves as Imazighen meaning “free men.”
Since both Berbers and Arabs have lived in Morocco for centuries and intermarriage is common, an exact percentage of Moroccan Berbers is hard to determine. It is estimated that 75 percent of Moroccans have some Berber ancestry. Between 33 and 50 percent of the population define themselves as Berbers and speak Berber dialects.
Arabs
The Arabs, from the Arabian Peninsula, arrived in North Africa in the second half of the 7th century, soon after the death of the Prophet Mohammed. The driving goal of the Arab migration was to spread Islam. The Arabs quickly conquered the Northeastern area of Africa, but encountered problems when they reached the Western areas. The Moroccan Berbers put up a strong fight against the Arab invasion. Eventually, the Arabs began to offer the Berbers incentives to convert. The Berbers converted to Islam, but many believe it was a political move rather than a spiritual one. Regardless, Islam has become a defining feature in all of North Africa.
In addition to religion, the Arabs influenced Morocco in almost every aspect of life. They introduced new foods, clothing, and styles of governing. One of the most significant Arab influences was their language. The use of Arabic grew quickly in Morocco and continues to be the national language. The merging of Berber and Arab cultures was often a complicated and violent process. Over time, Arabs and Berbers began to intermarry and their differences, especially in urban areas, started to diminish. Berbers who live in areas inhabited mostly by Arabs remain Berbers ethnically, but assumed many of the cultural aspects of Arabs. The reverse was also seen. Arabs who moved to areas dominated by Berbers took on Berber lifestyles.
The arrival of the Arabs has been one of the most significant events in Morocco’s history. The Arab influence has become so imbedded in Moroccan life that it is hard to separate Moroccan from Arab. Moroccans view their country as an Arab nation, and feel strongly about issues relating to the Middle East. Moroccans often feel closer ties to Arabs in the Middle East than to their African neighbors.
Saharawis
The term Saharawi is used to describe people living in the Western Sahara. It is a controversial term, with some saying it is a political term and others claiming it is a distinct ethnic group. The Saharawi are desert-based, nomadic tribes with many similarities to the Moors in Mauritania.
During the colonial era, Spain controlled the Western Sahara region, but unlike other European colonizers, few Spanish citizens moved to the area. This allowed the Saharawis to maintain their traditional lifestyles with little outside influence. Harsh droughts have forced many Saharawi to leave their traditional roles as herders. Many of these people moved to the cities that were established by the Spanish or Moroccan governments. Lack of employment opportunities has made life hard in the cities. Urban Saharawis must often rely on government assistance and have a lower standard of living than the average Moroccan.
Saharawis have many of the same cultural characteristics as Moroccan Arabs and Berbers: they are Muslim, they place heavy emphasis on family, and they speak Arabic dialects. Due to the political climate in Western Sahara, the Saharawi often live differently than the general Moroccan population. During the 1970s, the POLISARIO and Moroccan military began to fight for the territory of the Western Sahara. The violence pushed the Saharawi citizens across the border, into Algeria.
The Saharawi established refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria and have been there for more than two decades. These camps are approximately 80 percent women and children. This situation has affected the gender roles in Saharawi culture. Women have a prominent role in Saharawi society. In the camps, they hold almost all responsibility and have thus become very independent. Saharawi women are free to marry and divorce with no fear of social stigma. It is common for Saharawi women to have been divorced and remarried many times. There is some concern within the Saharawi population that if their nation annexed with Morocco, their women would no longer have the same freedoms.
Harratines
The Harratines are a black, Muslim population living in mostly the southern desert areas of Morocco. They are nontribal and their place of origin has not been determined. It is widely believed that they are the descendants of black slaves. The Harratines are not well integrated with the other ethnic groups. It is uncommon for them to marry Arabs or Berbers. Although the Harratines are free people, they usually work in manual labor or other lowpaying jobs. As a result, they remain among the poorest populations in Morocco.
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