Why do People wear Different Traditional Clothes in Merzouga?

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Traditional Clothing in South Morocco

The dress is as varied and diverse as historical antecedents and cultural backgrounds. It communicates age, gender, allegiances, ethnicity, and religious commitment for every day, celebratory, ceremonial, and ritual occasions. Each part of the world has its unique dressing characteristics. It is a way of maintaining cultures. Clothing has long ago ceased to be a protection from cold and sun and has involved as fast as the human race, and this is precisely the case in south Morocco.

Merzouga, for example, the fact that it is a desert territory makes it hard for locals and visitors to stand the natural conditions there. The clothes in these regions are made against the natural effects; the wind blows, the peak of the sun, sand storms, and the cold at night. The nomadic life there requires unique clothes that can bear any natural condition.

People there, mainly nomads, wear long woolen robes that cover their whole body. The “blue Jellaba” is a long casual dress for men in the Sahara, along with loose sleeves and trousers. Their long robes protect the skin from the sun, and when worn loose, they offer a convection style for a cooling effect and prevent sweat from evaporating. Light-colored clothes reflect sunlight and lessen skin temperature. Nomads use slippers because they protect them from the heat of sand and the cold of the night. They also wear turbans on their head to protect them from the hot blazing sun. Berber women wear long black and colorful robes decorated with bright embroidery. This kind of clothes is not only used as a shield from natural conditions but also represents the conservative cultural aspect of their Berber culture. Apart from this, there are some occasions when Berber men and women wear traditional clothes like weddings and other cultural events. Traditional clothes take a leading position when it comes to preserving cultures. They have a symbolic role in the preservation of national values and cultural heritage. Sahara’s traditional clothes have a crucial presence in the history of Morocco.

Hospitality and warm welcome are highly sacred concepts in Moroccan culture. Whether it is in the north, mid, or west, hospitality in Morocco is everywhere. No one is considered a stranger. Moroccan people can invite foreigners to their homes, and they don’t have a problem with going to massive expenses to provide complete hospitality to their guests. They provide their guests with almost everything they might need, and they always check if their guests are comfortable. Moroccans like to share everything; they like to talk about their unique traditions and get to know the visitors more. Their hospitality is spontaneous and natural. If one visits the south of Morocco, he or she will be invited by Berbers to have lunch, and they will serve their visitors traditional meals like Couscous, meal paste, with meat ( camel or goat meat) and vegetables, Tajines, Refisa, and a cup of Sahara tea at the end of the meal.

Moroccan people are known for their warmth hospitality and generosity. Come visit Morocco and live the unforgettable Moroccan experience now!