C o nn e ct in g C l as sr o om s p ar t ne r sh ip 20 0 9/ 20 1 0
Moroccan Craft
By Nada Birgach, Imane Mounarhi, Maha Ettoubi, Oumaima Mghaimimi, and Aaya Hafidi. (TC/C)
Good morning dear listeners, today, we will learn about the most popular craft in Morocco. Our guests today are: a craftswoman, a traditional tailor, a carpet
weaver and finally a sculptor.
Let’s start with Fatima, our traditional carpet maker.
Moderator: Hello Fatima welcome to our feature. Can you tell us about your craft?
Fatima: Well, good morning. I’m Fatima and I’m a person who makes traditional carpets with a loom. First, I sit on a big pillow on the floor, then I sort the threads
into different lengths and colours, and then I start weaving. After 10 hours of continuous work I can only make one medium-sized carpet
Moderator: Oh I think your work is difficult but I’m sure that you love your job. However, I think that your job is becoming rarer nowadays, as people prefer
modern machines. Why don’t you try this new technology?
Have the traditions in Morocco changed?
In a room, all the family is having a discussion
about the customs in Morocco.
-zouze: Mum, do you think our traditions have
changed?
-The mother: No, they haven’t. I think that we just
go with the flow. Let's ask your grandma.
-Grandmother: Oh Darling, you know, in our
family, we stick to our values. So your mum is
right. I'm not saying that all the people still respect
our traditions. Of course, there are others who
don't really bother, but it depends on their beliefs.
-zouze: Okey! I understand now. For example,
right now, we are sitting together as a family,
which is very rare now, a whole family meeting
and talking about an interesting subject, right?
-The mother: Yes, sweetheart, that's right. Well, it's
time to start cooking lunch; we will talk about it
later.
-Zouze: What's for lunch?
-Mother : Couscous, of course.
-Zouze : Can I help you to make it ?
-Mother : Sure, come to the kitchen, I will teach
you how to make it.
-Zouze : Great, Let's go then .
-Mother : Here is the secret. …
-Mother: While you are keeping an eye on it, I will
go to the mosque with your father.
-Zouze : See you then. Please father, don’t forget
to bring buttermilk with you.
By Fatima Ezzahra Inzale, Maria Damou, Sara
Benaissa, and Yasmine Guengue. - TC/B
Fatima: Even if modern machines do my job now this is the only way to preserve our traditions. And we all know that it stays prefect forever.
Thank you Fatima. Now, let’s go to our craft woman Jouhara
Moderator: Hello Jouhara. Welcome to our recorded broadcast. So what about you? What is your job exactly?
Jouhara: My job is pottery. I’ve done this job since I was a little girl, because my dad was a craft man too and he taught me how to be professional and how to love
this job which shows the culture and treasure of our country.
Moderator: It’s really awesome to pass on this work, but what does it mean “being” a craft woman?
Jouhara: To be a craft woman is too important for me. I’m proud of myself, of this culture, and of this job which is a huge task that I have to assume.
Moderator: Thank you for coming Jouhara. Let’s talk to our traditional tailor, Aisha. Hi Aisha could you tell us a little about your job?
Aisha: I am a traditional tailor who sews traditional clothes. I have practised this craft since 1994. I draw the designs on the cloth with needle and thread. And every
design has its own name.
Moderator: That’s really awesome .But you know that people prefer traditional costumes more than costumes made by machines. Why do people prefer that?
Aisha: People prefer traditional costumes because it’s always a unique model and style, the traditional clothes of Morocco which is appealing to people. It’s so
original and special and it never disappears.
Moderator: Thank you Aisha for answering our questions. Finally please welcome our artist who carves wood and make sculptures Khadija. Thank you for being
with us today. Can you tell us about your job?
Khadija: As a hobby, I have made sculptures since I was fourteen. When I grew up, my parents need me to help them. So I can make use of this gift of sculptures
to collect money to help my family. For this job, I use traditional tools.
Moderator: Why do you think that we find just few people working as you now, knowing that in the years before many people used to work in this area?
Khadija: I am not sure. However I enjoy this job. I like Art craft since it is very important for the economy of our country. Besides, it’s simple and beautiful. It
represents the beauty of our country. It’s part of our traditions.
Moderator: Thank you Khadija for your coming. We saw today many crafts women who have spoken in general of their trade which amounts to the term “
Moroccan craft”, which is a heritage that began with our ancestors and we hope will never end with our grandchildren.
Has the Moroccan culture changed?
One thing is clear: Moroccan culture has changed in some families. First, a lack of communication between parents and teenagers has appeared in this
generation. In fact, teenagers don't spend enough time with their parents any more. Most of the time, they just don't find a suitable topic to talk about; so they prefer
to spend their free time with their friends. Consequently, parents are not able to talk to their kids about their cultural heritage. The result is that the old culture is
slowly being lost.
I'm sure, if one of them was able to take the first step, both the parents and the children would be glad to discuss all sorts of topics. Jokes and funny stories
that happen to each one of them would surely make good conversations. This way, they would feel like a real family, just like it used to be in the good old days. I
think this is the most important thing that has changed in Moroccan culture.
In my family, I am lucky enough to live in one house that keeps us together all the time. I'm so happy to have parents who want to both preserve the culture
and become familiar with our generation at the same time.
On the bright side, there are some great things that haven't changed in our culture. These include festivities and traditional foods. I think our generation
should make a real effort to conserve the best things in our culture.
By Kamilia Bouziane - TC/B
Celebrating Eid Al Adha
It's Aid Al Adha, Ali is playing video games alone
in his room. His grandmother entered his room.
Grandmother: Ali! I haven't seen you for a long
time! Why don't you come and celebrate this
special day with us?
Ali: Grandma! Let me finish this game please.
Grandmother: Oh dear! You have no idea how
important this day is!
Ali: But why? I can join you later.
Grandmother: But that's the tradition! That's how
it used to be in our time. We used to look forward
to this day, because we see all our family and we
used to love this gathering. Now you see that
traditions have changed!
Ali: Changed? How?
Grandmother: Your generation gives less
importance to traditions. I think it's the parents'
fault, even though I also think they didn't have
much of a choice. You see, the development of
communication and entertainment technologies
has something to do with that. For example, the
way we celebrate weddings and holidays is
different now... We can also see the change in our
traditions by looking at how and what you guys
eat, what you wear and how you act towards your
parents. Traditions shouldn't change, they
represent our identity!
Ali: Oh, yes. I wish traditions could go back to the
way they used to be.
By Kamilia Bouziane, Maha Masrour, Ouijdane
Ouchen, Doaa Riali, and Zineb Salehddine.-TC