Moroccans
المغاربة
Imerrak
| Total population |
| ~ 38M |
| Regions with significant populations |
Morocco | 33,322,699[1] |
France | 1,514,000[2][3][4] |
Israel | 1,000,000[5] |
Spain | 792,158[6] |
Italy | 524,775[7] |
Belgium | 500,000[8] |
Netherlands | 385,761[9] |
Germany | 140,000[10] |
Canada | 100,000[11] |
United Arab Emirates | 100,000[12] |
United States | 82,073[13] |
United Kingdom | 70,000[14] |
Algeria | 63,000[15] |
Saudi Arabia | 60,000[16] |
Libya | 50,000[17] |
Sweden | 40,000 |
Norway | 30,000 |
Denmark | 26,000 |
Egypt | 18,000 |
Qatar | 9,000[18] |
Switzerland | 7,270 |
Russia | 3,400[15] |
Australia | 2,500[15] |
South Africa | 2,100[15] |
Ivory Coast | 1,800[15] |
| Languages |
| Predominantly Moroccan Arabic, Berber dialects |
| Religion |
| Predominantly Islam (Sunni,Nondenominational Muslims,[19] Sufi); minorityJudaism, Christianity[20][21] |
In addition to the 33 million Moroccans in
Morocco, there are large
migrant populations of Moroccan origins in
France,
Belgium,
Israel,
Italy, the
Netherlands,
Spain, and smaller groups in
United Kingdom,
United States,
Canada,
Arabian Peninsula and in other
Arab states.
Berber genetic identity[edit]
Physical anthropology of Moroccans[edit]
In traditional
physical anthropology, the indigenous Berbers of Morocco and elsewhere in the Maghreb are among the various
Hamitic inhabitants of Africa, representing the westernmost branch. As such, the principal morphological element in the local population is the
Mediterranean type (Atlanto-Mediterranean and Basic Mediterranean).
[26]
The skin of some Moroccans darkens readily under the influence of sunlight, and many of them become quite dark in the exposed parts of the body, which is typically a Mediterranean characteristic.
Riffians and other
Berbers of
Atlas mountains of Morocco show a high percentage of blondism, higher than the
other Berber groups in North Africa and some parts in
Southern Europe, with about two thirds of
Riffians being pinkish-white skinned with mixed or light eyes (reaching
⅘ or 80% in central
Rif); the rest are of
Mediterranean (mainly of classic Mediterranean or
Berberid type, but many Moroccan Berbers show some blending with Classic Mediterraneans).
[27]
Nordics are ancient in
Northern Africa as the Egyptian monuments of the
Middle Kingdom (
circa 2000
B.C.), and perhaps older. They survive today mostly in the mountains of the
Rif, in
Atlas Mountains of
Morocco and the
Canary Islands.
[28] Moroccans in general are the most Lighted haired people in
Africa . blondism is more common in the
Rif, and less common in the
Middle Atlas and the Atlantic seacoast; >45% of Berber Moroccan population has blond or light brown hair, in the rest of
Morocco is just less than 25% of the Population are blond.
[27] Moroccan Berbers of the
Rif Mountains and
Middle Atlas mayhave the highest percentages of Light Eyes in Continental
Africa. In the Rif, dark eyes are found among 30% of the men, mixed eyes 45%, and light eyes in 25%; and the mixed eyes have green or blue elements rather than gray
First settlers[edit]
The first
anatomically modern humans (
Homo sapiens sapiens) in North Africa are the makers of the
Aterian, a
Middle Stone Age (or
Middle Palaeolithic) stone tool
culture. The earliest Aterian lithic assemblages date to around 145,000 years ago, and were discovered at the site of Ifri n'Ammar in Morocco. This industry was followed by the
Iberomaurusian culture, a backed bladelet industry found throughout the Maghreb. It was originally described in 1909 at the site of Abri Mouillah. Other names for this
Cro-Magnon-associated culture include
Mouillian and
Oranian. The
Epipaleolithic Iberomaurusian makers were centered in prehistoric sites, such as
Taforalt and
Mechta-Afalou. They were succeeded by the
Capsians. The Capsian culture is often thought to have arrived in Africa from the Near East, although it is also suggested that the Iberomaurusians may have been the progenitors of the Capsians.
Y-DNA of Arabs[edit]
J (L222.2)[edit]
E1b1b (V22)[edit]

E1b1b (M81), E1b1b (V22) and E1b1b (V65)
Arabs of
Morocco are a 40% E1b1b (V22), another lineage to expand out of
Egypt. Found in various ethnic groups with a peaking frequency in
Sudan &
Egypt.
[30]
E1b1b (V65)[edit]
E1b1b (M81)[edit]
Historically[edit]
According to
Ibn Khaldun, whole tribes set off with women, children, ancestors, animals and camping equipment.
[32]
Physical differences between Berbers and Arabs of Morocco[edit]
It is easier to tell a Berber from an Arab by dress and behavior than by external physical characteristics, but there are statistical differences, particularly between the tribal
Arabsand the mountain Berbers.
The highest frequencies of L-mtDNA in Moroccan cities is reported for the Moroccan Arabs of the surrounding area of
El Jadida at 46%.
Harich et al 2010
Frequencies (> 1%) of L-mtDNA
| Country | Ethnic Group | Number tested | Reference | L-mtDNA% |
| Morocco | Moroccan (Arabs) | 81 | Harich et al. (2010) | 46% |
| Morocco | Moroccan Arabs | 56 | Turchi et al. (2009) | 30.00% |
A small minority of the population is identified as
Haratin and
Gnawa, dark-skinned sedentary agriculturalists from the southern and eastern oases that speak either Berber or Moroccan Arabic.
Berber groups[edit]
Culture[edit]
Through
Moroccan history, the country had many cultural influences (Europe, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa). The culture of Morocco shares similar traits with those of neighboring countries, particularly Algeria and Tunisia and to a certain extent Spain.
Morocco influenced modern day Europe, in several fields, from architecture to agriculture, and the introduction of Moroccan numbers, widely used now in the world.
Each region possesses its own uniqueness, contributing to the national culture. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
The traditional dress for men and women is called
djellaba, a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves. For special occasions, men also wear a red cap called a bernousse, more commonly known as a
fez. Women wear
kaftans decorated with ornaments. Nearly all men, and most women, wear
balgha(بلغه). These are soft leather slippers with no heel, often dyed yellow. Women also wear high-heeled sandals, often with silver or gold tinsel.
Moroccan style is a new trend in decoration which takes its roots from Moorish architecture; it has been made popular by the vogue of
riad renovation in Marrakech. Dar is the name given to one of the most common types of domestic structures in Morocco; it is a home found in a medina, or walled urban area of a city. Most Moroccan homes traditionally adhere to the Dar al-Islam, a series of tenets on Islamic domestic life. Dar exteriors are typically devoid of ornamentation and windows, except occasional small openings in secondary quarters, such as stairways and service areas. These piercings provide light and ventilation.
Moroccan cuisine primarily consists of a blend of Berber, Moorish and Arab influences. It is known for dishes like
couscous and
pastilla, among others. Spices such as cinnamon are also used in Moroccan cooking. Sweets like
halwa are popular, as well as other confections. Cuisines from neighbouring areas have also influenced the country's culinary traditions.
Additionally, Moroccan craftsmanship has a rich tradition of jewellery-making, pottery, leather-work and woodwork.
The music of Morocco ranges and differs according to the various areas of the country. Moroccan music has a variety of styles from complex sophisticated orchestral music to simple music involving only voice and drums. There are three varieties of Berber folk music: village and ritual music, and the music performed by professional musicians.
Chaabi(الشعبي) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which descend from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.
Gnawa is a form of music that is mystical. It was gradually brought to Morocco by the Gnawa and later became part of the Moroccan tradition.
Sufi brotherhoods (
tarikas) are common in Morocco, and music is an integral part of their spiritual tradition. This music is an attempt at reaching a trance state which inspires mystical ecstasy.
Languages[edit]

Linguistic map of Morocco
The majority of the population speaks
Moroccan Arabic. More than 12 million Moroccans speak Berber varieties, either as a first language or bilingually with Moroccan Arabic. Three different Berber dialects are spoken:
Riff,
Shilha (Chleuh) and
Central Atlas Tamazight.
Hassaniya Arabic is spoken in the southern part of the country. Morocco has recently included the protection of Hassaniya in the constitution as part of the July 2011 reforms.
French is taught universally and still serves as Morocco's primary language of
commerce and
economics; it is also widely used in education, sciences, government and most education fields.
Spanish is also spoken by some in the northern part of the country as a foreign language. Meanwhile,
English is increasingly becoming more popular among the educated, particularly in the science fields.
Ethnic group[edit]
The main ethnic groups are:
[39]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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A Riffian from the coastal village of Ajdir, in the tribe of Beni Uriaghel. In pigment, in measurements, and morphologically this Riffian is as perfect a Nordic as one could find in northern Europe. Nordics are ancient in Northern Africa as the Egyptian monuments of the Middle Kingdom, and perhaps older. They survive today mostly in the mountains of the Rif, Atlas mountains, Soussi of Souss valley, the Canary Islands and the Chleuhs.
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source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccans