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Moroccan Customs

Moroccan customs are so numerous that probably requires a whole website. But we at everything-Moroccan.com are dedicated to keep this flow of information going. So, I was asked recently about baptism in Morocco and how it's administred. It's actually called "Akika" or "Aqiqa". what is it?

La akika

The celebration of the "Akika”, or seventh day of the birth of a child is a party which is of particular importance in the social and family life. The preparations to welcome the newborn varies from one region to the other.

Baptism in the South

The celebration of the 7th day of birth differ from one tribe to another, from the mountains to the plains, while retaining the character of exceptional event in the family attached to its Moroccan customs and traditions.

The preparations to welcome the newborn are the responsibility of village women attending the mother, out of sight of men and this, by preparing food and "tkaouates" based on argan oil that will be used after confinement feeding women in childbirth.

Indeed, the home of the newborn shows solidarity and a separation of roles between men and women. If the marriage of the Moroccan girl or Moroccan man is of paternal authority, the home of the newborn occurs in a strictly feminine circle.

Immediately after the birth announcement, as Moroccan customs dictate, the ululations fly from all sides of the house to notify relatives of the issue and the coming of the newborn. The first gesture after delivery: the newborn is greeted by a call to prayer chanted in his ear.

From that moment, the home of the newborn becomes the meeting point of all the village women who offer gifts in the form of prepared meals for the mother based chicken "Beldis" ingredients and concocted for the occasion .

During the seven days, the mother is free of any work or chores, she is regarded as "princess", surrounded by his family and a kind of "godmother," a second mother who takes care of the baby.

To celebrate the 7th day, "the Issem" or "Saba", relatives of the family, the villagers are invited to the ceremony begins with the chanting of the Holy Quran and panegyrics of the Prophet in an atmosphere of piety.

After the ceremony, the real fun begins with the women who engage in the singing and dancing into the early hours of the morning and during the festivities, we officially announce the name of the newborn.

The "Aqiqa" in the North

For Moroccan customs of "akika in the north, reparations for the celebration of this festival begins two months before delivery by the ceremony of "Laqmous" which involves the acquisition by the maternal grandmother of clothes and other toiletries for the newborn.

Immediately after the baby is born, a family member, usually the paternal grandfather, sings in the right ear of the newborn the call to prayer. This ritual is followed by a "major ablution" which is to wash the baby with water where the roots are soaked mint and leaves of henna plants with certain dermatological virtues which also symbolize the hope for a prosperous future for the newborn.

Moroccan customs has it that the mint root soaked in water used in the "great ablution" , should then be planted in a pot inside the house. Then the "small ablution" which is to wash the baby in a basin where it has dipped an egg that will be offered to a child of the family or neighborhood.

The seventh day, the family sacrifices a sheep. All knots and knobs of baby clothes were defeated that day. According to Moroccan customs and traditions, this ritual protects the newcomer from all obstacles. The official announcement of the baby's name, which is the highlight of the "Aqiqa" is welcomed in an atmosphere of joy and piety.

The event is also marked by the invitation of close relatives and friends to lunch "tqlia, dishes of guts of sheep, followed by a hearty meal, reflecting the culinary expertise of the city. In the afternoon, the mom gets in her best dress to receive the gifts, the pace of Andalusian songs, some tunes are dedicated to the newborn ..

Baptism in the Eastern Region

The arrival of a newborn is celebrated for seven days from birth until the ceremony of sacrifice marking the Baptism of the new family member.

The ritual celebrations marking the celebration of birth in Moroccan customs is however characterized by differences in light of local circumstances. Unanimity, however, lies in the fact that these traditions accompanying the birth are an exceptional event. In addition to celebrating the arrival of a new member to the family concerned, it helps to break the monotony of the neighborhood.

Preparations for the reception of the newborn already starting several days before the birth. The family then watch the organization of the ceremony, the sacrifice and the preparation of traditional Moroccan food specific to that occasion.

The most popular are the couscous, "bercoukech", a highly spiced dish made of hominy cooked with lentils, chickpeas and dried meat or "taqnatta", a dish made from semolina, sugar , oil and sesame seeds.

The mother is surrounded by attention. Her hands and feet decorated with henna. The ritual bath, which is of particular interest, is done on the seventh day in the presence of women and young girls singing panegyrics.

The seven days are driven by a local troupe called Al Arfa "who performs songs and dances. The ceremony of sacrifice marking the 7th day of birth and to baptize the newborn is characterized by the ritual of choosing a name that occurs after many proposals and negotiations.

Baptism in Fez, a true consecration name

It is tradition in Fez that the baptism of the first not fully covered by the family of the bride. The day before the ceremony, the woman receives a parade of girls, accompanied by a folk group "AISSAOUA" or "dkaykia" bringing Lamchabak (gifts including kaftans, embroidered linens, cakes, sheep ...).

Baptism is celebrated in an atmosphere of gaiety. Thus, in the morning, in a climate of religious songs and scents of incense, the paternal grandmother washes. After breakfast takes place, a dish similar to the month of Ramadan (soup, dates, eggs, chabakia), The family attends the sacrifice of sheep to announce the baby's name, and this by drawing a veil of protection (hijab), to protect the child and his mother against the evil eye.

Up and dressed in pure local traditions, Nfissa (the mother) appears before her parents and her friends. As in tradition, Nfissa must eat dishes made from pigeons and cockerels cooked in a special way and that Sellou which is a mixture of walnuts, almonds, sugar, flour, sesame crushed and sprinkled with flower water orange.

This tonic is traditionally called bent lalla nbi ( our lady daughter of the Prophet). At night, men and women, young and old, move around the orchestra to celebrate the sounds and rhythms of the Andalusian and popular Moroccan music .

 

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