Disrovering Morocco.
No one would like to miss out on such a culturally rich and environmentally friendly country. Morocco is a hot tourist destination for many people from every corner of the globe. The government has made a conscious effort to make tourism the number one industry in the country.
Morocco has a rich history that began with the Berbers and has been ruled by many dynasties. Spanish and Portuguese influences have contributed to a rich cultural heritage that every Moroccan is proud of
The kingdom of Morocco that is at the crossroad of Europe and Africa is an awe-inspiring country with its beautiful culture and interesting history. The country has a very strong sense of culture. Various rulers that ruled the country influenced the country’s cultural diversity.
The original inhabitants are, however, the Berber people. They were general big tribes with rules laid down by their leader and these rules would not even be the same for two Berber tribes.
Phoenicians and Roman Morocco
The Berber tribes were far removed from each other and this was one reason why Morocco was often invaded. In the 12th century B.C Phoenicians were the first invaders to the country who conquered most of the coastal regions easily.
The Carthaginians in turn defeated them later. They set up their trade routes and developed trade with the Berber tribes. By the 5th Century B.C they had extended their domination across most of North Africa. The Berber kings ruled in the shadow of the Carthage and Rome. In 2nd century B.C, the Romans attacked the country and captured all Carthage strongholds.
The Romans generally controlled their territories with alliances with the tribes. The Mauri or the Moors also ruled the region and the whole area were called as Mauretania. Christianity was also introduced in the second century and there were some converts in towns and Berber slaves and farmers.
There were schismatic and heretical movements and a substantial Jewish population also grew.
Islamic Morocco
The Arabs conquered this country in the 7th century and introduced their civilization. Islam found following and many Berbers also converted. They shaped Islam in their own image and embraced schismatic Muslim sects. During 741 – 1058 the region of Barghawata became the first Muslim country.
The region then overcame control of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad under Idris Ibn Abdallah who founded the Idrisid Dyanasty. Morocco became a major center of learning. The 11th and 12th centuries saw the Berber dynasties growing and replacing the Arab Idrisids. These dynasties were led by religious reformers and were based on a tribal confederation that dominated the Maghrib for around 200 years.
The Saadi Dynasty ruled from 1511 to 1659 and the Alaouites have been the dynasty in power since the 17th century. Short but intense fights between the various tribes left the country instable for some years. However Ahmed I al Mansur was able to rule the country better and bring stability to the country.