Early Cultural Origins
Berber Woman
Morocco's history began with the Berber, tribal people who have inhabited the country since the 2nd millennium BC. Indigenous to North Africa west of the Nile for at least 4000 years, the Berbers spoke many languages, lived a nomadic lifestyle, practiced their own religion, and politically were structured around tribal clusters of families with leadership hierarchies.
Influences from the North
Rome's influence reached the country around 146 BC and the ruins at Volubilis, near Fes, are as well preserved as many that a traveller can find in Mediterranean Europe. As Rome's power declined, Morocco was invaded in the 7th century by Arabs who brought Islam which remained as a permanent cultural component in spite of centuries more of shifting dynastic rule and attempts at invasions from other countries. The Idrissid, Almoravid, and Almohad dynasties reigned long and had great influence but none could maintain the essential support of the individual Berber leaders that was needed to create political unity and a permanent presence in the country.
Volubilis
Once Spain and Portugal expelled the Moors from their countries they, too, reached for power in Morocco, only to be successfully repulsed. Eventually France, in 1911, was formally acknowledged as protector of the greater part of Morocco and ruled until 1953. During this time tribal leaders struggled with forming some relationship with the French without losing the cultural identity of their people. The story of once such leader, T'hami el Glaoui, illustrates this difficult challenge and one man's effort to preserve his people's culture for the future. It would be hard to establish the effect he has actually had since so many things have changed in Morocco and the world since el Glaoui's time.
T'hami el Glaoui - A Fierce Berber Chieftain
Glaoui was the last ruling family of the south part of Morocco. Their stronghold was located in the region of Ouarzazate, on the Sahara side of the High Atlas Mountains, where travelers will find the Palace of Glaoui built by this powerful feudal family, but never inhabited by them. Another structure there, Dar el Glaoui, also known as the Kasbah of Telouet, was, however, the home of this ruling family and El Haj T'hami el Mezouari el Glaoui, the Lord of the Atlas. This mighty warlord, and Berber chieftain of the Merouara tribe was seen by some as a fine man and by others as a bloodthirsty tyrant.
T'hami el GlaouiT'hami el Glaoui, as he is known to history, worked with the French to oust Sultan Mohammed V in 1953 and then aided the sultan in his return in 1955. El Glaoui thought that by aiding in the return of the Sultan he could help free his country from its colonization by the French. Ironically, this resulted in the elimination of Glaoui as a power and confiscation of all of his holdings, as tradition dictated. He made this decision while near death realizing it would be for the good of Morocco, and as a final gesture in his lifelong effort to keep the Berber tribes of central and southen Morocco united enough that they would not be subjugated to any other entity.
The Kingdom of Morocco Today
Today, Morocco is ruled by King Mohammed VI who is attempting to lead Morocco to long-term stability and increasing economic prosperity across the country. 60% of the population is Berber and many speak one of the three Berber languages currently in use in Morocco. In the remote areas and rural communities many people speak only a Berber language. However, Arabic is the first language of Morocco. The Arab presence is most obvious in the urban areas. King Mohammed VI has a strong focus on connecting the remote areas with the urban through better roads, technology for communication, and education as the way to keep Moroccans moving in the direction of economic stability and national unity.
