MORROCCO
Here. you take them. for you
receive.
Omar handed me a bag of chickpeas.
his joy was seeing me trying something new from his world.
full.
Morrocan Culture is Rythm. Rythm is everything.
Halqua is spontaneous street theatre relying on audience participation. Combining comedy, music dance and story.
Everybody owns a drum.
Everybody stops and drops to their knees. 5 times a day.
Sala. Prayer.
Everything is done in community in Morocco. Eating, working, making, building, walking, shopping, playing, cooking, learning.
Labas?
My Moroccan friends cannot comprehend the Western mindset of doing things on your own, understanding indepedence and how we try to do so much, too much, alone. It confuses them.
Labas, Hamdullah.
Strong hands.
“Just receive”
Having a deep scrub at a Hamman. Monthly ryhthm for women, whole bodies new. Exfoliated.
“Just receive” Rare
One lady is stroking Jasmin and argon oil through my hair. Another is exfoliating my of skin with hot sand. They pour water over me. “Just receive”.
Where are your shoes?…
“Women keep, here”. Pointing to my tummy. Womb.
“No warm, no sex, no children”
not having children, or sex. So I’ll risk.
On my way out of the steamy cave, she assures me she’s finding me a boyfriend to enjoy my new silky skin.
Inshallah.
Sabbath
The table is a holy place.
8 hour lamb. Share.
روح الجميع معروضة
“everyone’s spirit is on show”.
ZELOUK Cauliflower and aubegine. unbelievably tasty grey mush.
INSHALLAH God willing
ZAKAT giving money to your poorer neighbour.
THE MOTHER as the soul of the nation.
BESSARA A staple meal. Dried Brouad bens, garlic, olive oily. Historially for workers to fill them up all day.
Here. for you.
I handed Omar 10d for his time and local energy.
Omar didn’t take the money.
Hospitality in his nature.
Just receive. Giving me his own bag of chickpeas.