Saturday, June 5, 2010

Answers To Your Questions

Q: What types of instruments to Berbers play?

A:Berbers use a variety of instruments. They use the Ginbri which is a stringed instrument, Bandirs which are drums, and Qaraqib which is metal clacker.

Q: Are the spices that Berbers use found in the atlas mountains or do they buy ot trade them at a suck?

A: That depends on what kinds of spices. Berbers sometimes grow and make their own or sometimes the spices that can't be found in their area they trade things with others in exchange of the spices.

Q: Can you tell me how many percent of Berber Jews, Christians and Muslims
A: I'm Sorry I don't know the answer to that. You can research it.

Q: which other culture or civilization has affected the Berber music.
A: The other tribes such as the Arabs, Christans, and the Jews had a little affect on the Berber music. Berber traditions and culture has an affect on Berber music as well.


Q: What religion did they have before converting to Islam.
A: Before converting to Islam, there was Christianity and Judaism


Q: What is the most popular instrument in Berber villages?
A: Bandirs (drums) is one of the most popular instrument.


Q: In your opinion, why is Berber music so unique?
A: I think Berber music is unique because they use many different insruments than others. They chant together in groups and they travel from villages to villages.


Q: You said that The color blue is a powerful color, is green also a powerful color, or does it have some other use?
A: Blue is the only important color. They don't just choose randum colors.

Q: Did any culture inspire the Berber music?
A: Of course, music is all about culture.

Q: You said that the color blue is important to the Berbers, is blue and if so why?
A: It is important to the Berbers, because they believe that the color blue wards off evil spirits.

Q : Why did the Romans call the Berbers Barbarians?
A: Barbarians means Berbers.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Berber Traditions Summary

Berbers comes from the word Barbarians given by the Romans. Berbers are a group of people that live in northern Africa. They live in different areas, some in desert regions and others in the Atlas Mountains. There are many Berber groups or tribes scattered all over, speaking in many different dialects.

An important Berber tradition is music. Berber music has been alive for years. It is only one of its kind. There are numerous music styles that have upbeat African rhythms. Musicians perform in small bands, traveling from village to village singing and dancing. This musician’s music entertains the people at weddings and social occasions. During the music the musicians would sing and chant along. Some of the songs tell beautiful tales or stories and poetry.

The food is also important to the Berber traditions; there are many exquisite traditional dishes. Berbers make the most scrumptious dishes. Almost every dish is flavored with olive oil and sometimes contains some Arab spices such as cinnamon, condemn, and nutmeg. Couscous which is a classic dish is one of the most popular. It is served in every part of Morocco. The couscous is made out of wheat. Along with it comes vegetables and meat. The tajine is also another traditional dish. It is served in a dome-shaped dish with its triangular cover. The tajine also includes vegetables and meat. mechoui which is roasted lamb and the pastilla are both popular dishes. The pastilla is a layered pastry that contains pigeon meat and scrambled eggs. Lastly, for breakfast Berbers have boujeje which compares to the American pancakes. During a meal excluding breakfast, the Berbers eat harissa, a hot pepper sauce. Lastly, for desert Berbers have fruits, nuts, and pastries.

The Berbers have many other traditions and they have several beliefs. The Berbers believe in the power of the color blue. Many doorways and windows around are painted in this color. They believe that blue wards off evil spirits. Another belief the Berbers have is the Holy Koran. The men even wear protective mullets that have verses from the Koran. As a tradition, Berbers put on Henna which is important to Islam. It is a plant that is used to dye skin or hair. To be creative Berbers make designs with it on their hands and feet. It is generally put on for weddings and special occasions.

All in all, The Berber traditions are very powerful and should be kept alive everlastingly. Without any of these traditions the culture would have no value. It is all very inspiring, special, and everyone wants to discover it.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

My name is Racha, I have lived in Morocco almost my whole life. I have many hobbies, there are many things to do in Morocco. From outside soccer to trips to the cities. Everyday, I learn things about Morocco. About the culture, traditions, and the history. Also,In Morocco there are such tasty foods.

Morocco is the kind of country where you stuff yourself with delicious foods and have too much fun by visiting all the different people that live here. It has been fun to live in Morocco. I have lived here almost my whole life and I have also been at this school for a long time. I enjoy the warm weather during the summer because I get to swim and do outdoor activities. I do Sports such as basketball, volleyball and badminton. If this country had been a cold one then the cold won’t bring that much fun to these sports. You need to be outside on a sunny day, sweat off, and splash in a cooling pool. In Morocco there are a lot of traditions and many things to discover. Even though I have lived here my whole life I still learn things about Morocco everyday. There are many places to visit. I have visited Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes, Tanger, Casablanca, and Agadir. They all have different traditions and they all serve delicious food too. There is the famous and traditional couscous which the Moroccans eat every Friday. Moroccans also serve the tajines that contain a lot of vegetables and meat. Living in Morocco has been very great for me and I look forward for the rest of the years here.