Portraits of Morocco

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Berber Woman
April 2, 2019
Ksar Malaab, Morocco

Places are just pins on a map without the people who shape them.  

Morocco is an incredible country, from the wild energy of the narrow streets in the Medina of Marrakech to the massive, vibrant orange sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.  In the nine hour drives to and from the Sahara from Marrakech, we passed the skeletons of centuries old Kasbahs, snowy peaked mountains, and lush green valleys dotted between the red hued villages that are so recognizably Moroccan.  But what I loved, more than anything, were the people who created this beautiful culture and welcomed us as part of it.

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Mother and child ride in taxi in front of the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech, Morocco

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Man burns dried olive branches in large fireplace to heat underground water for Hammam on the other side of the stone wall, plastic jars filled with olives on his counter.
Medina, Marrakech, Morocco

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He accepts a tip for allowing us to view the inside of the building.

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Hands of a snake trainer and performer in the main square, Djemaa el-Fnaa.
Medina, Marrakech, Morocco

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Snake charmers, Djemaa el-Fnaa.

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Street performers put on a comedy show for Moroccans in Djemaa el-Fnaa and are tipped for their entertainment services.

View of the Souk streets from the window.
Medina, Marrakech, Morocco

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The butcher. No photographs.
Medina, Marrakech, Morocco.

Women tour one of the inner rooms of the Bahia Palace.
Marrakech, Morocco.

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View from the car window in Djemaa el-Fna.
Medina, Marrakech, Morocco.

Moroccan man taking in a view of frenetic energy of the main square.
Djemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech, Morocco

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Stall serving snail soup in the evening.
Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech, Morocco

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Man walks through the courtyard of the 17th century Telouet Kasbah. Only part of it remains open after it was abandoned.
Telouet, Morocco

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Women working in the fields along the roads that travel through the Atlas Mountains.

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A Berber woman in her home as tea is prepared.
Ksar Melaab, Morocco.

Mint tea is prepared for us in the home of a traditional Berber family.
Ksar Malaab, Morocco

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Berber women are tattooed by hand to show that they are married. Each Berber tribe in the different regions of Northern Africa have their own dialects, symbols, and traditions.

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Hussein, a young Berber man and his camel, Bob Marley.
Erg Chebbi, Sahara Desert, Morocco

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Berber men play drums by the fire at night in the Sahara Desert. Most of the inhabitants of villages in southern Morocco near the Sahara are descendants of the Tuareg Berbers, the nomadic, indigenous people who roamed Northern Africa for centuries before the arrival of other nations, including Romans and Arabs.