CULTURE OF MOROCCO

Management interculturel
 Plan
Definition of Culture

Culture of Morocco

Element of culture of Morocco

Standards presented in Morocco

Values presented in Morocco

Models of culture

Dimensions of Culture

Symbols of culture
 Definitions of culture

the behavior, patterns, symbols, institutions, values,

and other human made components of the society

J. Banks, Teaching Strategies for

Ethnic Studies, 5th ed. (Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall, 1984), 52
Culture ... is that complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any
other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society.

Edward Tylor (1871)

 The complex whole which includes
knowledge,beliefs,arts,morals,laws,customs,and any
other capabilities an habits acquired by (a human) as a
member of society,
ethics of the people in their situation in the
pension like buildings, Trades, Arts and
know-how in the areas of daily life, while the
ethics of people formed to education and the
acquisition and realization of thought.

Ibn khaldoun ( 1332 / 1406)

culture as defined in his book, "the problem of culture" is a set of
physical characteristics and social values that affect the individual
since the birth to become subconsciously that the relationship
between his behavior and lifestyle in the environment where he was
born, they are on the surrounding, which constitutes the individual
printing and personality.

malek bennabi (1905 / 1973)

 CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE
Learned

Shared

Transgeneration

Symbolic

Patterned

Adaptive
 Culture of Morocco

The Culture of Morocco has changed throughout Moroccan history,

Morocco has hosted many peoples, in addition to the

indigenous Berbers, coming from the East Phoenicians, Arabs, South

(Sub-Saharan African), and North (Romans, Andalusians both

Muslims and Jewish).

 Elements of culture

1- Family
 1- Family
The family is one of the most important elements of everyday life in
Morocco. Community beliefs are highly integral in Moroccan society
and lead to the idea that the family is sacred and they should work as a
group to accomplish goals. More than often, the family units ideals are
held to a higher standard than what the individual desires.

Families are usually numerous and those working support expenses and
family care. Moroccans attach great importance to solidarity between
members of the same family and even neighbors
Religions and beliefs
 2. Religion and beliefs

Islam is practised by the majority of Moroccans and governs

their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
 Economic Systems
Although highly dependent on rainfall for its important
agricultural sector, Morocco nonetheless has a diversified
GDP mix, which also includes its bourgeoning tourism
industry, textile production, high-end manufacturing for both
the automotive and aeronautics industries, and IT services,
which have benefitted from growth in the countrys
outsourcing business over recent years
 4- Governement

constitutional monarchy

The government has three branches: executive, legislative, and

judicial. The executive branch comprises the king, a hereditary
monarch who serves as head of state, and the prime minister, who is
appointed by the king following elections to serve as head of
government. The king appoints the cabinet ministers on the
recommendation of the prime minister and presides over the Council of
Ministers. He has the power to dismiss the ministers, dissolve
parliament, call for new elections, and issue decrees. The king also
serves as head of the armed forces, head of the Supreme Council of the
Judiciary, which appoints Supreme Court judges, and
chief religious leader
 5.Living language
The official language in Morocco is Arabic, though almost one third of the
population will speak Berber, mostly in rural areas and the mountains.
However French is taught in the schools and is often used in commerce
and business.

Around Tangier, there will be many people who can speak Spanish, due to
the proximity of Spain and Spain's past involvement in that corner of the
country.

Moroccos official language is classical Arabic, which is the

standard Arabic spoken by much of the Middle East. However,
Moroccos unique dialect of Arabic is what the population speaks.
 Arts and Literature

Morocco is a multi ethnic country of (Arabs, Berbers, Phoenicians,

Romans, Jews, Sub Saharan Africans) with a very rich Moroccan
culture which have had a big impact on the Moroccan art scene.
Each Moroccan regionoffers its own heritage, culture, customs and
unique artistic forms contributing to rich cultural heritage
 Standards presented in Morocco

In Morocco, customs, laws and regulations are consistent with the practices and
beliefs of Islam. Social and religious traditions must be respected.
Some actions are punishable by sanctions or imprisonment.

It is forbidden to consume alcohol in public.

The penalties for drug possession are severe.
It is frowned upon to indulge in displays of affection in public.
Sexual relations outside marriage are illegal. Couples can not produce proof of
marriage may not be permitted to stay together in a hotel room.
 Values presented in Morocco
The family is one of the utmost importance and is reflected in many
aspects of everyday life of this fascinating people.

Islam insists that a good Muslim is a good neighbor and it must do

everything to have a good relationship and a good relationship with
his entourage.

In Moroccan culture, people have enormous respect for older people,

Respect for the elderly and their care for the youngest, in fact, are
among the core values of Moroccans.

Moroccans are also very generous.Islam preaches generosity towards

relatives and people in need. Moroccans give up 1/3 of their income to
the poor and they offer food to them when they show up at their door
begging.

Hospitality is very important and houses are planned accordingly.

 Intercultural Commuication

Intercultural communication is defined as situated communication

between individuals or groups of different linguistic and cultural
origins. This is derived from the following fundamental definitions:
communication is the active relationship established between
people through language, and intercultural means that this
communicative relationship is between people of different cultures.
 Verbal communication

verbal communication is the process of exchanged

of information or message between two or more
persons through written or oral words.
 language: arab, berber, French colonization

The Classical Arabic/Standard Arabic Language

Classical Arabic never served as the native variety of any

group of speakers. It has always been a language of prestige
in Morocco. It is used for religion, education and official
functions
 Berber

Berber is considered the indigenous language spoken by the

inhabitants of Morocco because its arrival predates all other known
languages spoken in Morocco.

The term Berber originated with Greeks and Romans as they came
into contact with the people of North Africa. It is etymologically
derived from the Latin word Barbarus which was first used by the
Greeks to refer to anyone who does not speak their language

This term poses some ethical problems to some Berbers and in

their own tongue they call themselves and prefer to be called
Amazigh , meaning free man or noble man.
 The Legacy of French Colonization

From 1912 to 1956, Morocco was governed as a French protectorate. As

the linguistic legacy of 44 years protectorate period, French remains an
important language. French colonization was a turning point in the
linguistic history of Morocco.

The French language was imposed as the medium of instruction in

schools. It became the chief second language for thousands of Arabic
and Berber speaking individuals
 Greeting
In Morocco, the most important nonverbal to understand is
how to shake hands with another individual. Handshakes
only occur between members of the same sex, as it is
considered highly inappropriate for a man to shake a womans
hand
Clothing
Revealing clothing is frowned upon by Moroccans because the men and women
there typically cover the majority of their bodies in accordance with the Muslim
tradition
Clothing that is appropriate in one country, may not be appropriate in Morocco.
People may make an automatic judgment on a female if she is dressed in what they
consider a provocative way

Our traditional dress here is the Djellaba,

although it is not what youngsters wear
nowadays. There is also the Caftan which
we might wear at weddings too ! Usually
these are worn with 'Balgha' (flat slippers
made from leather) but at weddings
women wear Caftans or Takchitas with
heels.
MODELS OF CULTURE

Onion Model

Iceberg Model

Barrel model

Schwartzs culture model

 ONION MODEL
The three layers of culture in the Onion model are:

Outer Layer:
Middle Layer: It
Explicit culture is
defines norms and
the observable
values. Norms are
reality of the
principles of right
language, food,
and wrong that are
buildings, houses,
shared among a
monuments,
group of people.
agriculture,
Values define what
markets, fashions
is good and bad,
and art. They are
desirable and
the symbols of a
undesirable, among
deeper level of
a group of people
culture.

Core: the core of culture is implicit and consists of

how people adapt to their environments
ICEBERG MODEL

Culture can be described as an

iceberg : There are things that can
be easily seen and described
but there are also many deeply
rooted ideas that can only be
understood by analysing values,
studying institutions, and, in
many cases, reflecting someones
own core values.
 BARREL MODEL

Superstructure: A cultures
worldview, including morals and
values, oftentimes grounded in
religion.
Social structure: The rule-governed
Superstru
relationshipswith all their rights
cture
and obligationsthat hold members
of a society together. This includes
households, families, associations, Social
and power relations, including structure
Infrastructure: The economic
politics.
foundation of a society, including its
Infrastr
subsistence practices and the tools
ucture
and other material equipment used
to make a living.
DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE

1. Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions

2. Trompenaars dimensions

3. Edward T. Halls cultural

dimensions

4. Philippe dIribarne
 HOFSTEDE'S CULTURAL
DIMENSIONS
Dutch (1928)
Professor of Anthropology
organizations and international
management at the University of
Limburg in Maastricht (Netherlands);
Director of the Institute for Research
on Intercultural Cooperation (IRIC) of
the University of Tilburg.
In Mechanical Engineering from the
Technical University of Delft;
PhD in Social Psychology from the
University of Groningen;
Professor and researcher in several
European institutions,
Other: sailor, worker, industrial
engineer, plant manager, personnel
manager.
I. HOFSTEDE'S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Power distance
Uncertainty/avoidance
Individualism/Collectivism
Masculinity/Femininity
Long-term/short-term orientation
Indulgence restraint
 1. POWER DISTANCE
Low Power Distance:
-Power is exerted only where it is
necessary.
-Employees expect to take part in
decision making or to be asked for their
opinions.
-Interdependence between less and
more powerful people
-Hierarchy in organizations means an
inequality of roles
-Decentralization is popular
Narrow salary range
-Subordinated expect to be consulted
-The ideal boss is a resourceful
democrat
High Power Distance:
-Members accept power distance as part
of social order, it determines what is
right and wrong.
-Employees expect directives and rules
-Less powerful people should be
depended on the more powerful
-Hierarchy in organizations reflects the
existential inequality
-Centralization is popular
-Wide salary range
-Subordinated expect to be told what to
do
-The ideal boss is a benevolent autocrat
or good father
Morocco is a hierarchical society. This means that people accept a

hierarchical order in which everybody has a place and which

needs no further justification

 2. UNCERTAINTYAVOIDANCE INDEX (UAI)

Low UAI: High UAI:

-Uncertainty: normal feature of life -Uncertainty : continuous threat that

and each day is accepted as it comes must be fought
-Low stress subjective feeling of -High stress subjective feeling of
well-being anxiety
-Aggression and emotions may be
-Aggression and emotions must not be
shown at proper times
shown
-Fear of ambiguous situations and of
-Comfortable in ambiguous situations
unfamiliar risk
and with unfamiliar risk -Emotional need for rules, even if they
-There should not be more rules than never work
necessary -Precision and punctuality come
-Precision and punctuality have to be naturally
learned -Resistance to innovation
-Tolerance to innovation -Motivation by security
Morocco has a very high preference for avoiding

uncertainty. Countries exhibiting high Uncertacinty

Avoidance maintain rigid codes of belief and behaviour

and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas.

 3. INDIVIDUALISM COLLECTIVISM (IDV)

Low Individualism: High Individualism:

-Individuals learn to think in terms of -Individuals learn to think in terms

we
-High-context communication
-Diplomas provide entry to higher
status groups
-Relationship employer- employee is
perceived in moral terms, like a
family
-Hiring and promotion decisions take individuals
employees ingroup into account
-Management is management of
groups
of I
-Low-context communication
-Diplomas increase economic
worth and/or self- respect
-Relationship employer-employee
is a contract based on mutual
advantage
-Hiring and promotion are
supposed to be based on skills
and rules only
-Management is management of
-Task prevails over relationship
Morocco, is considered a collectivistic society. This is

manifest in a close long-term commitment to the

member 'group', be that a family, extended family, or

extended relationships
 4. MASCULINITY/FEMININITY (MAS)

Femininity: Masculinty:

-Dominant values: caring for others -Dominant values: material

and preservation
-People and warm relationships are
important
-Sympathy for the weak
-In family, both fathers and mothers
deal with facts and feelings
-Stress on equality, solidarity , and decisive and assertive
quality of work life
-Managers use intuition and strive for
consensus
success and progress
-Money and things are important
-Sympathy for the strong
-In family, fathers deal with facts
and mothers with feelings
-Stress on equity, competition
among colleagues and
performance
-Managers are expected to be
-Resolution of conflicts by fighting
them out
 The fundamental issue

here is what motivates

people, wanting to be the

best (Masculine) or liking

what you do (Feminine).

 5. LONG-TERM/SHORT-TERM ORIENTATION (LTO)

Short Term Orientation: Long Term Orientation:

-Respect for traditions --Adaptation of traditions to a

modern context
-Little money available for
investment
-Funds available for investment
-Quick results expected
-Perseverance towards slow results
-Respect for social and status
obligations regardless of cost -Respect for social and status
obligations within limits
-Concern with possessing the Truth

-Concern with respecting the

demands of Virtue
Moroccan culture is clearly
normative. People in such societies
have a strong concern with establishing
the absolute Truth; they are normative
in their thinking.
 6. INDULGENCE/RESTRAINT (IND)

Indulgence stands for a society that allows relatively free gratification of

basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun.

Restraint stands for a society that suppresses gratification of needs and

regulates it by means of strict social norms.
Morocco has a culture of Restraint.

Societies with a low score in this dimension

have a tendency to cynicism and pessimism.

TROMPENAARS CULTURAL

DIMENSIONS

Fons Trompenaar , was born

in 1953
He is a Dutch Consultant
and author in the field of
intrcultural communication
 II. TROMPENAARS DIMENSIONS
Universalism vs. Particularism

Individualism vs. Communitarianism

Specific vs. Diffuse

Neutral vs. Affective

Achievement vs. Ascription

Sequential Time vs. Synchronous Time

Internal vs. External

 1. UNIVERSALISM VS. PARTICULARISM

Universalism: Particularism:

-Circumstances dictate how

-Ideas/practices can be applied
everywhere ideas/practices apply,
-People from universalistic cultures
-People from particularistic cultures
focus more on rules
-People are more precise when focus more on relationships
defining contracts
-The contracts can be adapted to
(e.g., Canada, U.S., Netherlands,
satisfy new requirements in specific
Hong Kong)
situations
(e.g., China, South Korea)
In Morocco we see now that the particularism tends to be more
practiced than the universalism in the professional and the
personal live.
 2. INDIVIDUALISM VS. COLLECTIVISM

Individualism: Collectivism:

-People regard selves as part of group

-People as individuals -Value group-related issues;
-Countries with high individualism: -Committee decisions;
stress personal and individual -Joint responsibility
matters; (e.g., Malaysia, Korea)

- Assume great personal

responsibility

(e.g., Canada, Thailand, U.S.,

In Morocco, the people are collectivist , they are integrated into
Japan)
strong cohesive groups.
 3. SPECIFIC VS. DIFFUSE

Specific: Diffuse:

-Public and private spaces

-Large public space shared with
similar size, public space
others and small private space
guarded because shared with
guarded closely
private space;
-High specific cultures: people open,
extroverted; -People indirect and
introverted, work/private life
-Strong separation work and
closely linked
personal life

(e.g., Austria, U.K., U.S.) (e.g., Venezuela, China,

In Morocco, The professional relationship is not bounded in time
Spain)
and space.
 4. NEUTRAL VS. EMOTIONAL

Neutral: Emotional:

-Emotions are expressed openly and

-Culture in which emotions not
naturally
shown
-High emotion cultures: people
-High neutral countries, people
smile a lot,
act stoically and maintain
composure talk loudly, greet each other with
enthusiasm
(e.g., Japan and U.K.)
(e.g., Mexico, Netherlands,
Switzerland)

In Morocco, The people express their emotions naturally ,

immediately ,openly ,verbally and non verbally.
 5. ACHIEVEMENT VS. ASCRIPTION

Achievement: Ascription:

-Culture: status based on who or

-Culture: status based on how what person is according to certain
well perform functions it follows criteria such as: age, social
: personal business and actions background, the diplomas, the
taken by an individual, profession

initiatives of personal actions (e.g: Venezuela, China,

(e.g: Austria, Switzerland, Indonesia)
U.S.)

In Morocco, The people are measured by who and what they are.
 6. INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL CONTROL

Internal oriented culture: External oriented culture:

-People believe in letting things take

-People believe in control of outcomes
own course
-People who have an internal -Cultures with a so called organic
mechanistic view of nature view of nature
They focus on themselves rather than -They focus on the environment
rather than on themselves.
on the environment
(China, many other Asian
(U.S, Switzerland, Greece, Japan)
countries)

In Morocco, the people dont control the environment , the

environment control them.
 7. PAST PRESENT FUTURE ORIENTED CULTURE

Past oriented: Future oriented:

-In the future oriented culture : the

-In the past oriented culture : the
people enjoy discussion , potentials
people tend to show respect for
ancestors and older people and future achievement

>>Future is more important

-In the present oriented culture : (Italy, U.S , Germany)
the people enjoy the activities of the
moment
>> Present is more important

In Morocco, the people

(Venezuela, take into consideration the past , the present
Indonesia)
and future.
EDWARD T. HALLS CULTURAL

DIMENSIONS
May 16, 1914 July 20, 2009) was
an American anthropologist and
cross-cultural researcher.
He developed the concept of social
cohesion, a description of how
people behave and react in different
types of culturally defined personal
space.
He is known for : High context
culture, Low context culture,
proxemics, monochronic and
polychronic time.
III. EDWARD T. HALLS CULTURAL

DIMENSIONS

Context

Time

Space
 1. CONTEXT

High context

In a high-context culture, there are many contextual elements that

help people to understand the rules. As a result, much is taken for
granted. This can be very confusing for person who does not
understand the 'unwritten rules' of the culture.
Low context
In a low-context culture, very little is taken for granted. Whilst this
means that more explanation is needed, it also means there is less
chance of misunderstanding particularly when visitors are present.
Morocco would be categorized as a high-context culture
2. TIME
Monochronic time
M-Time, as he called it, means doing one thing at a time. It
assumes careful planning and scheduling and is a familiar
Western approach that appears in disciplines such as 'time
management'. Monochronic people tend also to be low context.

Polychronic time
In Polychronic cultures, human interaction is valued over time
and material things, leading to a lesser concern for 'getting
things done' -- they do get things done, but more in their own
time.
Aboriginal and Native Americans have typical polychronic
cultures, where 'talking stick' meetings can go on for as long as
somebody has something to say.
Polychronic people tend also to be high context.

Morocco would be categorized as

polychronic time.
 3. SPACE

High Territoriality: Low Territoriality:

-Some people are more territorial -People with lower territoriality

than others with greater concern have less ownership of space and
for ownership. They seek to mark boundaries are less important to
out the areas which are theirs and them. They will share territory and
perhaps having boundary wars ownership with little thought.
with neighbors.
-They also have less concern for
-This happens right down to desk- material ownership and their
level, where co-workers may do sense of 'stealing' is less
battle over a piece of paper which developed (this is more important
overlaps from one person's area to for highly territorial people).
another. At national level, many
wars have been fought over
boundaries Morocco would be categorized as high
territoriality .
MOROCCAN SYMBOLS:
NATIONAL SYMBOLS

The flag of Morocco is made of a red field

with a black-bordered green
pentagram. Red has considerable
historic significance in Morocco
MOROCCAN SYMBOLS:
NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Coat of arms of Morocco: The current

coat of arms of Morocco (formally; the royal
coat of arms) was introduced 14 August
1957. It was developed by the graphic artists
Gauthier and Hainaut and shows a green
pentagram on a red background before the
Atlas Mountains and a rising sun. The royal
crown is on top. Two lions function as the
holders of the shield. The ribbon
underneath, the Arabic inscription is
written: (If you glorify God, he will
glorify you) (Qur'an, Verse 7, Sura 47)
MOROCCAN SYMBOLS:
NATIONAL SYMBOLS

The Lion: The Barbary Lion (Panthera

leo leo), often considered the national
emblem of Morocco.The last known
Barbary lion in the wild was shot in the
Atlas Mountains in 1922.

The national fotball team of Morocco is

called " The Lions of the Atlas
MOROCCAN SYMBOLS:
REGIONAL SYMBOLS
Khamsa Hand - The Hand of Fatima
Hamsa is the hand of Prophet
Muhammad's daughter Fatima. It is the
symbol of patience, loyalty, faith and
resistance against difficulties. According
to common belief, it tells of the Fatima's
struggle for dignity and her tough life.
Thereby, purity, goodness and truth are
blessed.
For centuries, Fatimas Hand has been a
powerful talisman for good luck and
one of the most popular amulets in the
world of Islam for protection. It is hung
on the walls of the house as engraving in
silver or gold or it is painted in red.
 MOROCCAN
SYMBOLS:REGIONAL SYMBOLS
Berber signs
The ancient Berber script, Tifinagh,
was developed around 500 BC, from the
Pheonicians.
The Symbol represents Freedom seen
by the Imazighen of North Africa. It
was used in the war as a weapon and
also represents the last letter 'Z' of the
Tifinagh Alphabet. It is called the AZA
sign of the Imazighen people used in the
middle of the Amazigh flag.
 MOROCCAN
SYMBOLS:REGIONAL SYMBOLS
Zellige (zillij or zellij) is terra cotta
tilework covered with enamel in the form
of chips set into plaster. It is one of the
main characteristics of the Moroccan
architecture.
Zellige is typically a series of patterns
utilizing colorful geometric shapes.
This framework of expression arose from
the need of Islamic artists to create
spatial decorations that avoided
depictions of living things, consistent
with the teachings of Islamic law.
 MOROCCAN SYMBOLS: ISLAMIC
SYMBOLS
The crescent
An Islamic symbol , the crescent as a

religious symbol has joined the ranks of the

Christian cross and the Jewish star of David.
The crescent was not a symbol used for Islam
by Muhammad, as Islam is against
appointing "Holy Symbols" (so that during
the early centuries of Islam, Muslim
authorities simply didn't want any geometric
symbols to be used to symbolize Islam, in the
way that the cross symbolizes Christianity,
the menorah was a commonly-occurring
symbol of Judaism, etc.). This is why early
Islamic coins were covered with Arabic
writing, but contained no visual symbols.
 MOROCCAN SYMBOLS: ISLAMIC
SYMBOLS
Barakat Mohammed
Arabic calligraphy and reads

Barakat Mohammed. The

meaning in English:
" blessing of Mohammed prophet
of Islam".
It is dating from 18th century at

the foundation of the town by the

Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben
Abdellah al-Qatib ( Mohammed
III c. 1710-1790), calling about
divine protection of the town.
MOROCCAN SYMBOLS: ISLAMIC
SYMBOLS
Prayer beads:Prayer beads are also
known as Masbaha, Sibha or
Tasbeeh and are an important
symbol used in Islam to help with
meditation. Islam prayer beads
have 99 individual beads, each
bead represents one of the ninety-
nine names of Allah, the one
hundredth name is known to Allah
alone. The beads help the user to
count the number of prayers said