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Kasbah Hotel*** SaharaSky South Morocco |
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« The
Sheltering Sky » is one of the famous writings that covers the myths of
Morocco. The
author Paul Bowles describes the steady search of man for the sense of living.
Artists of all colours like Henri Matisse, Orson Welles or Jimmy Hendricks came
to Morocco searching for intense living.
When the
Islamic Arabs conquered the Maghreb region in the 7th century, part
of the resident Berbers escaped to the higher regions of the Atlas mountains. It
is interesting that even today appr. 40%
of all Moroccans speak one of the 3 Berber dialects – Tamazight, Tachelheit or
Tarafit – as their mother tongue. 25% of the population is of Arabic origin.
The dark skinned population of Morocco are descendants of slaves imported from
southern Africa and live mostly in the oases of the Great South. The formerly
important jewish communities have been reduced to approx 20000 members. The
economic circles of Morocco speak French. Arabic
is the only language admitted for religious or legal procedures. Islam is
the religion of state. King Mohammed VI is the political leader as well as the
religious chief of the Islamic
community of Morocco. The more liberal Sunnite branch of Islam prevails.
In all major cities there are protestant, catholic churches and
synagogues alongside numerous mosques.
The core
of Morocco forms part of the more moderate subtropical zone with dry summers and
rainy winter seasons along the coast. The marginal southern desert regions
present a transition to a natural desert climate which is marked by high
differences between night and day temperatures. For
sightseeing trips spring and autumn are recommended plus winter for the Sahara
regions.
Ksours
(Sing: Ksar) are the most
fascinating type of settlements in
South Morocco. They are fortified villages which are occupied mostly by one
single tribe. The complex of 2-3 storied mud houses contains mosques, hammams
and storage rooms. Often you see a
Kasbah emerging from a Ksar. A Kasbah is occupied by a special tribe or nobles.
Often they are found on prominent spots. Kasbahs
originated principally in the passage of the nomads of the Sahara. And even
today they dominate the landscape of the High Atlas region up to the edge of the Sahara.
Complete information how to travel Morocco: www.triotours.com/faq/index.htm www.specialplacestostay.com/places/MOR1113 Our recommendation in Marrakech: a 200 years old Ryad "La Maison Nomade" - german managment - |
