Gaby's+Wiki+Project

=Morocco= toc

Morocco is located in Africa's northwest corner. The country of Morocco has a very long history, with fighting off pirates as well as the French and Spanish then later gaining their independence. Morocco is also very in tuned with the Muslim faith as well as two others. Aside from history and religion, Morocco has a very beautiful art culture having to do with carpeting.

History
Morocco was involved in many things. The first being the Pirate era, this era began in the 1300's and ended in 1817. Piracy was Morocco's main source on income from 1300's-1800's. Pirates then moved over to Tripoli's aid -present day Libya- to fight against the U.S, they then attacked the U.S and Europe's ships. In 1814 a practice abolished the capturing and enslaving Christians. Finally in 1817 the Moroccan government outlawed piracy. Six hundred years later, Sultans were unable to keep control. France controlled Algeria, a near by country. When fighting broke out near the border France moved in. in 1907 France sent troops in, four years later Spain moved in. Both times Germany objected, which then the Treaty of Fez was created, the treaty gave France complete power of Morocco. There are three zones that the Spanish influenced: Port of Ifini and the area around, the long strip of land along the Mediterranean sea and the area between Draa river and Southern border. The rest of the territory belonged to France, except for the Tangier. In the 1920's armed tribesmen fought French and Spanish forces. France then gained control of French Morocco in 1934. France then surrendered to Germany in World War II. Allied forces took over French Morocco and made it into a major allied base in 1942. After World War II Morocco tried to over rule France and Spain. King Muhammad V wanted independence, 1953 was the year he was sent to exile by France. Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Moulay Arafa came to power. The new king cooperated with France and the people resented Muhammad V's exile and killing and terrorism started in that country. After being pressured France finally gave in, in 1955 and allowed King Muhammad V to come back. One year later on March 2,French Morocco became independent, the northern Spanish - except for Melilla and Ceuta- also became apart of the independence. Finally in 1958 Spain turned over all the southern holdings except for Infini. Infini was returned in 1969.

Religion
The main religion in Morocco is the Islamic faith. The Moroccan people are very religious. Even though most Moroccans are Islamic. Next to Islamic, the other major religion is Christianity, after Christianity its the Jewish faith. Since Muslims are separated in two groups ( Sunni's and Shia's) most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims. Morocco is a Muslim country because the royal family is said to be decedents of Muhammad,the religious leader.

Arts
Art in Morocco isn't hard to find. It can be found from museums to market places. The main art work that can be found in market places are carpets. Carpeting began over 25,000 years ago by the Berber tribe. Berber rugs have a unique twist on them, the twist is called the blind knot which is woven from the back of the loom. These rugs are artistic because of the geometric pattern of the rug. Berber rugs show designs of all different types like life events, change in designers or the weaver's creative expression. Many of the tribes women believe there is a spirit attached to the carpet either from the weaver themselves of from the living nature of the wool. The Berber weavers preserve their techniques, by using the wool and putting messages in them so they can be passed down. Weaving is an inherent rite of passage and creative expression. The many women that weave tell a story, others tell life experiences and some tell ancestral messages.