Thanks to its deeply rooted history, colorful culture, and its enchanted cities admired by tourists in the world, Morocco has in recent decades become a meeting point for them. Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, Essaouira, Ouarzazate and so many areas of the country are familiar to tourists, for being visited annually. Via our article, we travel to the city of Ouarzazate and consider it historically, culturally, ethnically and by peeking at its interesting historical monuments.
It is out of certain a city of charm, and it is worth a visit, as it attracts not only the eyesight but also one’s heart. Ouarzazate is situated in the south of Morocco to be a wide and opening gate to the deserts of the country. Almost all tourists consider the city as a central place once they desire to start their journey to the Sahara (desert). An important point we must inquire about, is that why the city is called Ouarzazate? Due to its calm and quietness, Ouarzazate in Tamazight signifies ‘without noise or disturbance’. Undoubtedly it is a place where one would feel peace and calm.
In the past epoch, the city had been merely an area of old and separated tribes, and mostly dominated by wide deserts. Once Morocco was occupied by French, Ouarzazate had been regarded as an arsenal during the 1930s, as it paved the road to attack effortlessly tribes in mountains who fought the colonizer patriotically. The most major period at the history of the city, was that of “Glaoui” who ruled people there with much despotism and tyranny, all people feared him and suffered his ill-treatment, “Glaoui” and his poor workers who could have never complained built one of the marvelous and famous historical monument that is the “Kasbah of Taourirt”.
The culture of Ouarzazate has always been rich and multicolored ever since people settled in the city, and certainly every generation tries to adhere to it, and let nobody scratch scuh a culture as long as it represents partially their identity. One of its aspects we consider Ahwash; a style of music produced by certain tools, people of Ouarzazate are proud of this artistic style. Ahwash’s main aim is not dancing, rather it is a way of expressing opinions and discussing issues of daily life, what is amazing is that this is always said implicitly by spiritual songs, now Ahwash has become essential in weeding for some tribes.
As the inhabitants are mostly craft men and women, Ouarzazate is known by a distinctive, adorned and perfectly made pottery, particularly by men. Women are skilled at weaving unique and decorated carpets using hands. Though it takes time, they feel much of pride doing so; especially once they gather for a long period singing and telling some tales. Recently some associations are established specially for such an art, in order to make women more productive and involved in society.
A very special thing that assists the culture of Ouarzazate is food by all its various; couscous, delicious Tajins, and superficial cakes made up by young and inventive girls in the city. Furthermore there is another skill one must not neglect that is done by women; “Elhana” it is about engraving certain paintings on females palm hands using syringe and a substance made up of rose and other things, now girls are becoming professional at this art as well.
The inhabitants belong to diverse parts of Morocco as well as other countries. The original dwellers are Amazigh, for they first settled as small tribes lived in small handmade houses of adobe and clay. And by the time and due to immigration and other motives people were flocking to the city to seek a living. Therefore, Ouarzazate becomes a mixture of Imazighn, Arabs (people speaking Moroccan Arabic or Darija), Saharien, not denying foreigners as French and Spanish who lived in the city long since eighties of the previous century. No matter, still the dominant residents are Amazigh and the language mostly spoken remains Tamazight.
It is still a city of charm for so many reasons; beside what has been mentioned above, historical monuments contribute to a large degree at making Ouarzazate among the attractive areas within Morocco. Starting with its Kasbahs, the city is known for years by the Kasbahs of AIT BENHDOU and TAOURIRT that were constructed by ordinary people, though using simple tools a great work was done. Besides, the UNESCO has taken in the two Kasbahs in its heritage program. Hotels are also a matter of importance in the city; they offer all means of comfort; they also have the quality of cosmopolitan hotels that make the visitor more interested in staying more days and never get bored.
Ouarzazate is also named Hollywood of Africa, and no wonder why, it is due to the biggest and famous studio in the African continent done for producing films, and there will be no harm saying that most famous filmmakers in the world see the Studio as their destination to produce their work if they wish more success. It also witnessed the partial production of some big and famous films as Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, and Gladiator. Likewise, the studio opens its gate broadly and daily to public either tourists or dwellers themselves who desire to pay a visit or take photos as souvenirs.
Our trip has reached its end, after having a wide view on the city and on what exist behind its adobe walls; residents must be so lucky to live and be raised in such a charmed province. It is marvelous that people are so genteel and popular, and they always open both doors and hearts to visitors whoever they are and wherever they come from with no prejudges.
So, let us plan a perfect holiday to Ouarzazate next summer.
It is out of certain a city of charm, and it is worth a visit, as it attracts not only the eyesight but also one’s heart. Ouarzazate is situated in the south of Morocco to be a wide and opening gate to the deserts of the country. Almost all tourists consider the city as a central place once they desire to start their journey to the Sahara (desert). An important point we must inquire about, is that why the city is called Ouarzazate? Due to its calm and quietness, Ouarzazate in Tamazight signifies ‘without noise or disturbance’. Undoubtedly it is a place where one would feel peace and calm.
In the past epoch, the city had been merely an area of old and separated tribes, and mostly dominated by wide deserts. Once Morocco was occupied by French, Ouarzazate had been regarded as an arsenal during the 1930s, as it paved the road to attack effortlessly tribes in mountains who fought the colonizer patriotically. The most major period at the history of the city, was that of “Glaoui” who ruled people there with much despotism and tyranny, all people feared him and suffered his ill-treatment, “Glaoui” and his poor workers who could have never complained built one of the marvelous and famous historical monument that is the “Kasbah of Taourirt”.
The culture of Ouarzazate has always been rich and multicolored ever since people settled in the city, and certainly every generation tries to adhere to it, and let nobody scratch scuh a culture as long as it represents partially their identity. One of its aspects we consider Ahwash; a style of music produced by certain tools, people of Ouarzazate are proud of this artistic style. Ahwash’s main aim is not dancing, rather it is a way of expressing opinions and discussing issues of daily life, what is amazing is that this is always said implicitly by spiritual songs, now Ahwash has become essential in weeding for some tribes.
As the inhabitants are mostly craft men and women, Ouarzazate is known by a distinctive, adorned and perfectly made pottery, particularly by men. Women are skilled at weaving unique and decorated carpets using hands. Though it takes time, they feel much of pride doing so; especially once they gather for a long period singing and telling some tales. Recently some associations are established specially for such an art, in order to make women more productive and involved in society.
A very special thing that assists the culture of Ouarzazate is food by all its various; couscous, delicious Tajins, and superficial cakes made up by young and inventive girls in the city. Furthermore there is another skill one must not neglect that is done by women; “Elhana” it is about engraving certain paintings on females palm hands using syringe and a substance made up of rose and other things, now girls are becoming professional at this art as well.
The inhabitants belong to diverse parts of Morocco as well as other countries. The original dwellers are Amazigh, for they first settled as small tribes lived in small handmade houses of adobe and clay. And by the time and due to immigration and other motives people were flocking to the city to seek a living. Therefore, Ouarzazate becomes a mixture of Imazighn, Arabs (people speaking Moroccan Arabic or Darija), Saharien, not denying foreigners as French and Spanish who lived in the city long since eighties of the previous century. No matter, still the dominant residents are Amazigh and the language mostly spoken remains Tamazight.
It is still a city of charm for so many reasons; beside what has been mentioned above, historical monuments contribute to a large degree at making Ouarzazate among the attractive areas within Morocco. Starting with its Kasbahs, the city is known for years by the Kasbahs of AIT BENHDOU and TAOURIRT that were constructed by ordinary people, though using simple tools a great work was done. Besides, the UNESCO has taken in the two Kasbahs in its heritage program. Hotels are also a matter of importance in the city; they offer all means of comfort; they also have the quality of cosmopolitan hotels that make the visitor more interested in staying more days and never get bored.
Ouarzazate is also named Hollywood of Africa, and no wonder why, it is due to the biggest and famous studio in the African continent done for producing films, and there will be no harm saying that most famous filmmakers in the world see the Studio as their destination to produce their work if they wish more success. It also witnessed the partial production of some big and famous films as Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, and Gladiator. Likewise, the studio opens its gate broadly and daily to public either tourists or dwellers themselves who desire to pay a visit or take photos as souvenirs.
Our trip has reached its end, after having a wide view on the city and on what exist behind its adobe walls; residents must be so lucky to live and be raised in such a charmed province. It is marvelous that people are so genteel and popular, and they always open both doors and hearts to visitors whoever they are and wherever they come from with no prejudges.
So, let us plan a perfect holiday to Ouarzazate next summer.
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