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Eating & Drinking
Morocco History
Learn about the delicacies of Morocco from tagine to amlou.
Morocco started with the Berbers. An ancient tribal people that some believe can be traced all the way back to the Caspians 10,000 years ago. Given the name Berber by the Roman's meaning "barbarians," the Berber call themselves Imazighen meaning "free men."
Morocco became a place of trade in the 12th century B.C. when Phoenician traders found salt and ore depots along Morocco's coast. They were later replaced by traders from Carthage who saw the prophet in creating commercial relations with the Berber Kings. In the first century A.C., after the fall of Carthage, Morocco was taken over by the Roman Empire. Moroccans rumor that during this time the infamous Hercules chose Morocco for his home and lived in a cave by the sea.
In the seventh century A. C., Morocco was conquered by the Arabs who established Morocco as an Islamic country. Still, the Berbers retained much of their earlier religion and customs, blending it with the beliefs the Arabs brought.
Morocco came to its full power in the eleventh century, owning much of north and west Africa. At that time it was known as not only a center of trade, but a center of knowledge and authority. It was during this time that the Berber ruled, trying to unite under several Berber dynasties.
In 1777, Morocco became the first to recognize the United States as a country when it signed a Treaty of Friendship along with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. It was also during this time that Morocco became a headquarter for pirates who pillaged or taxed merchant ships that wished to enter of leave the Mediterranean.
In the 19th century, Europe's interest in Morocco began to escalate to the point that in 1904 France and Spain split up the country and started their conquest for control of Morocco. In 1912, the sultan of Morocco permitted the French protectorate status. During WWII, Morocco fought alongside the French for the "motherland" (France), believing that for their service they would be granted citizenships. After the war, they were denied residence by the French and were sent back to Morocco. A civil war started thereafter, and in 1956 Morocco gained its independence from France and Spain.
In the past decade, Morocco has under gone much change due to the influx of tourism and the ideals of the new King Muhammed VI.
Morocco today still is deeply entrenched in its history, and there are many places that the modern world has not yet touched. Even in the bustling modern city of Casablanca, you can see the fading colors of Morocco's ancient history mixed in with the freshly painted faces of a contemporary future.
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Morocco People
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Morocco Culture
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Did you know...
Morocco was a safe haven during the Spanish Inquisition, and gained a large Jewish, Protestant, and Spanish Muslim population during that time.