Patricia
Rodriguez
1/16/13
Morocco:
The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges by
Marvine Howe
Chapter 7: Split Identity
Without
a doubt one of the most distinctive and unique aspects of Moroccan society is
its identity. This topic is explored in Howe’s chapter 7, Split Identity. Moroccans don’t make up one single identity but
rather are a unique blend of Arab, Islamic, Berber (original inhabitants), European
and some Jewish ancestry. This is most obvious in the languages spoken in
Morocco, which has greatly shaped the country’s identity and customs. Despite this
melting pot of cultures, according to its constitution, Morocco is a sovereign
Muslim state and its official language is Arabic. Its also one part of the
greater Arab Maghreb (which also includes Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya) and is an
African state (p.171).
Arabic
is the language of government, administration, instruction, religion and
everyday life. It’s important to note this, despite the fact that about 40
percent of its inhabitants still speak a Berber dialect and observe Berber
customs (p.171). Just how Morocco came to be an officially Arabic speaking,
Arab and Muslim state in lieu of its complex identity can be traced back to its
independence in 1956. A closer look at
how these combinations of cultures and identies have asserted themselves on
each other reveals what makes the present day Morocco.
Although
the North African Berbers had some of the greatest dynasties, the country had
become irreversibly Arabized since the arrival of the Arabs as conquerors in
the late seventh century. Flash-forward
to the time of independence in the late 1950’s; it was all about a national
unity. Therefore there was no Berber question for fear of a separatist
movement. It’s interesting that the Berber population at this time remained so
silent, even though they form the majority of the armed struggle against the
colonial powers. In fact, they went out of their way to prove that they were
good Moroccans. Much could be said about national pride and how important it is
for people to be considered a Moroccan. With the Berber identity put aside for
the sake of national independence and unity, “the main divide at that time was
between the European modernist and Arab traditionalist” (p.172).
From
early on the Arab traditionalist wanted to arabized the administration and
educational systems. They wanted to separate themselves from European ways. This
proved to be easier said then done, since under the colonial powers it wasn’t
allowed to create private Arabic schools (p175). Because of this there was a
great shortage of qualified Arabic teachers. Another problem that arose was
whether to teach classical Arabic of the Koran or the more commonly spoken
Moroccan Arabic (also known as Darija). Because of the pressures of
traditionalist, Nationalism, Arab ideology and religiousness the country
decided to Arabize the language to classical Arabic. Although after
independence and the royal order to Arabize, it was clear that Moroccans
weren’t willing to abandon French and Spanish. There were those that still held
on to the notion of westernizing (to a certain degree). This came in the form
of learning western languages, especially by the social elites. This further
adds to daily Moroccan life as a multicultural experience. Its also an example
of how willing Moroccan citizens were and still continue to be in its desire to
join the modern and global times.
After
many years of silence the Berber revival began in the 1980’s. The Berber people
began to make demands that its language be included in the constitution as an
official language along with Arabic. Under Mohammed VI institutes based on
Berber studies were finally funded and operational. Unfortunately this revival
has only had cultural components. It has no political influences because ethnic
parties are prohibited by the constitution (p.176). Currently the country is in
midst of a Berber renaissance and so the issue is an ongoing one in which time
will only tell the outcome.
The
Jewish minority in Morocco is an ancient one. They have been around for
thousands of years. When the Jews were expelled from Europe in the 14th
and 15th century they went to Morocco and added to the dwindling
Jewish communities. But after independence the mood of uncertainty and with the
creation of Israeli state, many of the Jews left. Furthermore, the May 2003
terrorist attack on a Jewish social center was a final blow to the Jewish
community in Morocco.
Currently
Morocco is taking full advantage of its multicultural identity especially by
providing a choice of foreign languages early on in the educational system. Not
just French, Spanish and English but for the first time the Berber language is
being taught at some schools. In this chapter Howe, gives the example of a
famous Berber poet, which I believe sums up nicely the typical multicultural
and multilingual, Moroccan citizen. “Ahmed Assid spoke Tamazight at home,
learned classical Arabic in Koranic school, French in public school and
Moroccan Arabic in the streets” (P.188)
