Inside a Moroccan Home
A Riad
Riads are traditional houses. There is no way to know how elaborate the décor is until you step inside the main entrance as the outer walls are very plain. Riads can be found in the older part of cities such as Marrakesh. There are very few windows on the external walls so this gives the occupants a lot of privacy. |
In a riad the courtyard is in the centre of the house. There is no roof on the courtyard. It is very private and peaceful after the bustle of the streets outside. |
Morocco gets very hot in the summer time. The design of the riad makes it possible for the inhabitants to find a nice shady spot in which to sit. |
Fruit trees and fountains can sometimes be found in the courtyard.
A Berber House
This is the house that the animals are housed in. During the summer it is too warm outside so the animals live in these little sheds.
Fruit is grown around the house. Look at the pomegranates and grapes growing in this house.
This is the kitchen. Dinner is cooking on a pot over the fire.
Look closely at the fire and you can see the bread being baked.
Butter being made in the kitchen:
There are some more interesting buildings you will find in Morocco.
A Tent
Some Berber (Amazigh) families move around. They live in tents so that it is easy to move from place to place. If there are school-age children in the family a teacher travels with the family so that the children don't miss out on their studies.
Some Berber (Amazigh) families move around. They live in tents so that it is easy to move from place to place. If there are school-age children in the family a teacher travels with the family so that the children don't miss out on their studies.
Carpets
Beautiful carpets similar to these can be seen in a lot of Moroccan homes. They are often made by the women at home and sold in the souq.
Beautiful carpets similar to these can be seen in a lot of Moroccan homes. They are often made by the women at home and sold in the souq.
Here is a shop that sells carpets.
Kasbah
A kasbah is a type of fortress. Long ago it was where the local leader lived. If the village was under attack it was where the local people escaped to. There were very few windows on the outside so that it was easy to defend. Sometimes the kasbah was built on top of a hill because it was easier to defend.
A kasbah is a type of fortress. Long ago it was where the local leader lived. If the village was under attack it was where the local people escaped to. There were very few windows on the outside so that it was easy to defend. Sometimes the kasbah was built on top of a hill because it was easier to defend.
In different houses people have different ways of cooking. This woman is baking bread in a clay oven.
How tajine is cooked:
Agadir
An agadir is a similar to a kasbah. This agadir was built on top of the mountain. Each villager put their precious items in the agadir so that if the village was attacked their belongings would be safe.
An agadir is a similar to a kasbah. This agadir was built on top of the mountain. Each villager put their precious items in the agadir so that if the village was attacked their belongings would be safe.