Eating With Your Hands: A Time-Honoured Tradition in Morocco
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Eating With Your Hands: A Time-Honoured Tradition in Morocco
In Morocco, like many other countries around the world it is crucial that you know your dining etiquette in that country. When a Moroccan family has extended an invitation to visit their home it is always customary for the family to offer food while their visitors are there. As a visitor you must always accept the offer for if you decline, it is seen as a very rude gesture to the family in their home. A Moroccan family will always entertain their guest in the most prominent room of their house, which is always lavished with the most expensive of things that the family can afford to buy. Always before the food is ever presented, and before the guest are asked to take seat, it is important that everyone washes their hands before the meal. There is usually a jug/or basin of sweet scented water (Orange/rose flower scent) that will be poured over both hands then you will be given a cloth to dry off. After washing up you may take your seat at the presented table. Shortly after a cook or the woman of the home will present the food to the table, it is at this time when the host will yell out “Bismillah” (meaning In the name of Allah)following everyone must do the same “Bismillah”, then it is safe to start eating. When beginning to eat it is important to take notice that the Moroccans eat with their hands… Well right hand only! The left hand can sometimes be used to pick up bread but usually it is only ever supposed to be used for passing of plates around the table. The left hand should be rested at your side, or on the table but NEVER to be used to partake in any food. Secondly another important note before you dig in, the use of your fingers to eat. Use only your thumb and first two fingers to pick up the food (use of anymore is seen as greediness at the table and is not accepted). Using your thumb as a kind of way to pinch then push food into your mouth (never touch your fingers or put your fingers into your mouth while eating). Always be cautious of the food that is laid in front of you, as a guest in a Moroccans home you will always be give you the best portions of the food, that is to say do not grab around the table for portions because the portion that they want you to have will be faced right in front of your plate, along with the bread which will be given to you by the host and no one else! Now you are ready to eat. Moroccans will usually use their bread to soak up sauces and juices, and to wrap around their food to make it easier to bring the food to their mouth. You can see how if not well practiced eating with one hand can be tricky. The trick is being sure to get a technique down as to not offend your hosts. Be sure to mix in all your spices and get the best of the flavors as possible. Enjoy your meal! While eating if you feel the urge to wipe your hands you may dab them gently on a piece of bread or lightly on a napkin but be sure not to lick your fingers, as that is saved for after the meal when everyone has finished eating. Also, if you become full, you should not stop eating! Continue to nibble small bits of your food because if you stop eating the rest of the family will then stop and it is impolite because they may not be done yet. Lastly, when the meal is finally complete and after all fingers have been licked clean, it is customary to again pass around the jug/basin filled with scented water to wash your hands clean.
References And external links
1. Catherine Hanger. “World Food Morocco”. Published 2000 Lonely Planet. Pg. 20-21 [1]
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3. [3]
