MOROCCO'S RITUALS: THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN SUN

Morocco, the sun-drenched exotic country in North Africa, exudes an infectious energy.
It is a place of bustling cities and mesmerizing spirituality, the land of gazelle horns and its famous argan oil. The country offers so many wonders to travelers, immersing you in a land unlike any other.
Between desert and sea, Morocco is full of a thousand and one rituals that will remain in your memory forever.

THE BEAUTY RITUAL WITH ARGAN OIL

A true gift from nature, argan oil has been used for centuries for its many benefits, both used on the body and in cooking. Moroccan women have made it their essential beauty ritual. Argan oil comes from the nuts of the indigenous argan trees in southwest Morocco.The benefits of argan oil are many-fold: it is intensely hydrating, with antioxidant and regenerative properties for skin and hair. It is applied head to toe in a daily ritual.

THE HENNA RITUAL

In Morocco henna is used mainly for adornment of the skin and body, but can also have a religious connotation. Used as a highly decorative ritual it is often applied as part of important ceremonies, especially weddings. The natural coloring comes from the leaves of henna, lawsonia inermis, which are dried, ground to a powder, and mixed with hot water into a paste. Henna is not only used for temporary decoration on the skin, it can also be massaged in to nourish and color hair.

THE RITUAL OF MINT TEA

Green tea with mint and sugar is a customary beverage in Morocco, and is frequently offered as a sign of hospitality. It is ideal at the end of a meal but is also consumed throughout the day. Traditionally, this tea is prepared in a typical Moroccan teapot, with a method of pouring from high above the cup, to allow it to oxygenate and reveal all its aromas. Green tea has benefits for the skin, as a natural astringent for cleansing, and can also help reduce wrinkles and scars, giving skin a natural glow.

HAMMAM RITUAL

The hammam is a form of old-world bathing that has become synonymous with Turkish tradition. In Arabic it translates to mean “heating up" or "hot water".

It consists of a steam bath at 122 degrees F (50 °C), with intermittent splashing of cold water. This type of bath has therapeutic values for the body: muscle relaxation, cleansing of the skin, elimination of toxins from the body, as well the opening of the sinuses and nasal passages which facilitates breathing, and improves sleep.

THE RITUAL OF COOKING

Cooking in Morocco is generally a family affair, and prized recipes are passed on from generation to generation. Moroccan dishes often require long hours of cooking, like the tajine, a traditional stew, and the ever-present couscous. They are simmered and garnished with pungent and delicious local spices. Meals are finished with a flavorful dessert, from gazelle horn to ktéfa (dough made from flour and water scented with orange blossom), or tasty bechkito (small cookies made with jam and almonds). Moroccan cuisine is shared communally, and is a time of joyful interaction!