Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco

Settlers from the Arabic Peninsula first arrived in Morocco in the seventh century AD. The population of Moroccan Arabs expanded quickly, and their descendants occupy all walks of life in Morocco. The first Arabic settlers brought Islam to the area, converting many Berbers.

A style of walled city common in North Africa. Medinas were mostly built by Arab settlers in the early Middle Ages and retain many of their historic features. In most Moroccan cities, the medina is the heart of native Moroccan life.

Literally “new town”; the colonial districts added to Moroccan cities by the French Protectorate. Villes Nouvelles are characterized by modern European-style city planning and a focus on French culture.

Someone who systematically relays information about their own culture to an anthropologist. Rabinow defines a good informant as someone who is able to view their culture both objectively and descriptively, even the small everyday interactions.

A set of religious practices surrounding a particular object, occurrence, or person. In Islam, like other Abrahamic religions, cults were often built around particular saints, with shrines built or rituals taking place where the saint was born, performed important miracles, or was buried.

An Arabic word for a Berber tribal leader. Sidi Lahcen Lyussi and villages like it often form alliances with local qaids as a form of protection and support. In turn, the Berber tribes bring groups to the Sidi Lahcen shrine to worship.

A Berber word for a religious teacher. Malik becomes a fqi with a romantic vision of what the job will entail but eventually quits when he realizes his duties are primarily wrangling unruly children and repetitively calling prayers.