The time capsule

K. If all of the world´s cultural heritage was contained in a time

capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your

country?

Morocco Hanane El Kaoui

Introduction

•Morocco is an African country that has a multiethnic society and a rich culture and civilization.

•Many ethnic groups settled in Morocco: Indigenous Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans, Sub-Saharan Africans, Vandals, Arabs and Spanish-Andalusians.

Introduction

• Those various ethnic groups have left an impact on the social structure of Morocco.

•Morocco has also hosted many forms of beliefs, from Paganism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam.

•Many languages are spoken in Morocco today: Classical Arabic, Moroccan Arabic, Hassaania, Berber (with its three dialects main: Tarifit, Tamazight and Tachelhit), French and Spanish.

What would I include in a time capsule to demonstrate Morocco’s legacy?

There are many interesting things in my country, but I would choose the following items to demonstrate Morocco’s legacy:

• Architecture: Al Qarawiyyin University – Fes The Hassan II Mosque – Casablanca

• Litterature: Ibn Battutah’s Rihla

• Entertainment: Tburida (Fantasia)

• Fashion: Caftan

• Food: Tajine

Architecture

Architecture: Al Qarawiyyin university - Fes

• According to UNESCO and Guinness World Records Al Qarawiyyin university is the oldest existing, continually operating university in the world.

• It was founded in 859, by Fatima Al Fihri, a rich heiress whose family moved from Tunisia to Fes.

• It was originally built as a mosque with a small school associated to it.

• The school became, a few centuries later, a center of intellectual influence in the Islamic world.

• I would add al Qarawiyyin to the time capsule because it demonstrates the involvement and dedication of women leaders in the spread of knowledge in Morocco.

Architecture: Al Qarawiyyin university - Fes

Architecture: Hassan II Mosque - Casablanca

• The Hassan II mosque is the fourth biggest mosque in the world. It includes an indoor prayer room of 20000 m2 and an outdoor prayer space of 70000 m2.

• The initiative was launched by king Hassan II.• The building started in 1986 and lasted seven years. It was inaugurated on August 30th 1993.• Around 10000 workers and craftsmen selected from all over the country worked on this

project.

Architecture: Hassan II Mosque - Casablanca

• Its minaret is the world’s tallest minaret: 210 m.• During the decoration phase, craftsmen carved 53000 m2 of wood and assembled 10000 m2 of

zellige (terra cotta tilework).• Hassan II Mosque blends, on a large scale, all aspects of the Moroccan architectural crafts that

require a great amount of hard and meticulous work, dedication, attention to details and team work in order to produce a real work of art. Therefore, Hassan II Mosque is one of the most import items I would add in the time capsule.

Literature

Litterature: Ibn Battuta’s Rihla

• Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan explorer of Berber descent.

• He was born in Tangier in 1304. At age 21, he decided to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. After accomplishing his pilgrimage, he explored the Nil Valley, Syria, a few cities in actual Iraq, Iran and Arabia.

Litterature: Ibn Battuta’s Rihla

• He made three other journeys: One that brought him to China, another one to Eastern Africa and the last one to Andalusia and Western Africa.• He left a detailed account of his journeys in his book the ‘Rihla’ (Journey).• I would add his book to the time capsule because it highlights Ibn Battuta’s

passion and dedication to his dream that led him to travel 75000 miles, visit 44 countries and consequently become one of the greatest explorers of his time.

Entertainment

Entertainment : Tburida (Fantasia)

• Tburida, also called Fantasia, is an equestrian art as well as a show performed during cultural festivals. It consists of a group of horse riders all wearing traditional clothes, who charge along a straight path at the same speed in order to form a line.

• At the end of the charge, the horse riders fire into the sky using old muskets or rifles.

• I would add Tburida to the time capsule because it requires team work, determination, a good knowledge of the field and a perfect training of the horses in order to present an entertaining performance to the viewers.

Fashion

Fashion : Moroccan Caftan

• Caftans are originally from Persia. It reached Morocco through the Arab conquerors• The Moroccan Caftan distinguishes itself from other caftans by the use of intricate

embroidery designs. It is usually worn for celebrations.• I would add the Moroccan caftan to the time capsule because it represents a craft

that has evolved throughout the centuries, blending Arab, Berber, Jewish and Andalusian influences. It still continues to evolve by including innovative touches of Western designs.

Food

Food: Tajine

• Last yet not least, I would put a Moroccan Tajine in the time capsule, the national dish of my country alongside Couscous.

• It is a delicious meal that is composed of vegetables and meat, cooked together in an earthenware pot that bears the same name.

• Beyond its tastiness, Tajine holds a unity symbolic as family and friends gather around this dish to eat from the same plate and share a pleasant time.

Thank You !