Our incredibly talented Moroccan TGC coordinator, Meriem Lahrizi, presented two information sessions this morning about the history and culture of Morocco. While I had done some research prior to my trip, I now have a much better understanding of the country, its history, and its people.
The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited by an indigenous tribe, the Imazighens (Berbers), for nearly 5,000 years. The area was unified under the Isrisid dynasty in 789AD. In following dynasties, the Moroccan control extended in to Spain until the Reconquista in 1492, when the Muslim Moors and many Jews fled from the Iberian peninsula in to Morocco. The Saadi dynasty was created, and they successfully defended themselves against Ottoman and Portuguese conquest. Perhaps the most famous Saadi ruler was Ahmad al-Mansur, who ruled from 1578-1603, The next dynasty to control the area was the Alaouite, the same family that continues to rule the country. During the 18th and 19th century, Morocco remained independent under the Alaouite dynasty as the majority of Africa was being colonized by major European powers. Morocco maintained its independence until 1912, when the Sultan Abdelhafid signed the Treaty of Fez on March 30, 1912, making Morocco a protectorate of the French government. Of course, this meant the Moroccans were pulled in to WWI, and unbeknownst to many, the Moroccan military assisted the Allied forces in both WWI and WWII.
The area of present-day Morocco has been inhabited by an indigenous tribe, the Imazighens (Berbers), for nearly 5,000 years. The area was unified under the Isrisid dynasty in 789AD. In following dynasties, the Moroccan control extended in to Spain until the Reconquista in 1492, when the Muslim Moors and many Jews fled from the Iberian peninsula in to Morocco. The Saadi dynasty was created, and they successfully defended themselves against Ottoman and Portuguese conquest. Perhaps the most famous Saadi ruler was Ahmad al-Mansur, who ruled from 1578-1603, The next dynasty to control the area was the Alaouite, the same family that continues to rule the country. During the 18th and 19th century, Morocco remained independent under the Alaouite dynasty as the majority of Africa was being colonized by major European powers. Morocco maintained its independence until 1912, when the Sultan Abdelhafid signed the Treaty of Fez on March 30, 1912, making Morocco a protectorate of the French government. Of course, this meant the Moroccans were pulled in to WWI, and unbeknownst to many, the Moroccan military assisted the Allied forces in both WWI and WWII.