Traditionally, Moroccan weddings take place over seven days with both sides of the family involved in preparing the food, buying seven different outfits for the bride and groom, and hosting family members from out of town. Nightly parties and feasting occur as family, friends, and neighbors gather to celebrate the beginning of the couple’s new life together. AMIDEAST organized a shortened version of the semester abroad students of one evening with musicians, food, dancing, and traditional singing. The students drew random names to determine members of the wedding party, and the day of the wedding the bride started getting ready hours before the rest of the guests.
My host mother graciously lent me her beautiful kaftan, traditional Moroccan dress, which she wore for the birth of her most recent grand-daughter. Kaftans are floor length dresses with long sleeves in beautiful colors and designs. The male version of the kaftan is called a djellaba (jell-ah-ba), and is a less flashy version of the kaftan. My dress was white with silver beading and embroidery detail, and my host mom even lent me matching shoes! I was so excited to wear it that night to the party, and to see the other female student’s kaftans as well.
We gathered in one of the classrooms at AMIDEAST for the event, and were greeted by Moroccan musicians dressed in traditional loose-fitting clothes. The singer started off the first song as the drummers and tambourine player followed suit. The loudest instrument was the set of castanet-like instruments made of iron that were played in quick jumpy rhythms. All of the musicians danced and sang as they played, moving around the room and catching the attention of the guests. Moroccan guests who entered the room began clapping to the familiar rhythms of wedding songs, and the Americans eventually joined in.
As the music continued and guests greeted and complimented each other on their “mock wedding” clothes, a female student ran down the hall squealing, “She’s coming everyone, she’s coming!” Well, this could only be one person…the bride. 
Everyone rushed to bring out their cameras in preparation for her grand entrance. As she walked down the hallway, the musicians changed the rhythm of their song to a heavier rhythmic process-like pace. The bride was accompanied by four female attendees dressed in green and gold robes with matching gold pants and slippers. They carried with them a gold padded platform attached to two long planks. As they entered the room, they lowered the platform, allowed her to step in and sit down, then hoisted the platform up on their shoulders and proceeded to
parade her around the room high above the crowd. She looked absolutely stunning in her emerald green dress with gold beading and gold jewelry. Once the attendants reached the wedding couple’s table at the front of the room, the platform was lowered and the bride disappeared. When it was raised again, the groom had replaced the bride and a second processional began around the room with increased singing and clapping.
After the wedding processionals, tea and cakes were served and traditional henna was available for the female guests. Henna is a plant base
d product that temporarily dyes the skin, allowing the design to last for up to two weeks. The bride’s henna design was created by one of her attendants, and included gold glitter. Both her palm and the back of her hand were decorated, and traditionally the tops and bottoms of the feet are also decorated for Moroccan weddings.
After several group photos, the music and dancing continued until late in the night. It was a wonderful experience and I am sincerely glad that I attended. During the following week, everyone was wishing the “married couple” a happy life!
[photo credits to Doha Ait Ahmed of AMIDEAST-Rabat]
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