Moroccan Ethnic Diversity encompasses a group of tribes that formed a unique union and coexistence, including the Amazighs, who make up the majority, the Arabs coming from the peninsula, and the Haratines. The latter came from sub-Saharan Africa and settled in the oases of the Moroccan Sahara. Finally, the Jews of Morocco.
Moroccan Ethnic Diversity
Amazigh
The Amazigh are the indigenous people of Morocco. They have lived in Morocco for more than four millennia. They are called Amazigh, and for centuries, they fought against Roman, Arab, and French invaders. The Amazigh language is more oral than written, although scripts as old as 2500 years containing their writing system are available. Before the Arab invasion, the Amazigh were Christians or Jews. When the Arabs settled in Morocco, they converted to Islam.
Arabs
In the name of Allah and to spread Islamic teachings, Arabs came to Morocco at the end of the 12th century. The Arabs swept through the Middle East and North Africa, spreading the religion to Morocco. After settling, they assimilated the formerly Christian Amazigh community and converted it to Muslims. In the Iberian Peninsula War, Arabs and Amazigh fought as Muslims. Today, most Moroccans identify with both Arabic and Amazigh. Only a few Arabs, especially the Shereefs, who trace their roots back to Muhammad, the Prophet, claim to be pure Arabs.
Jews: Morocco ethnicity
After the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, many Jews emigrated to Morocco and settled among the Amazighs. More Jews came to Morocco before and after the 1492 Alhambra decree. This second wave of immigrants profoundly influenced Moroccan Jewry. Soon, they embraced the Andalusian Sephardic liturgy, and Moroccan Jews began to identify with Sephardim. By the 1940s, the Jews exceeded 250,000, but Operation Yachin reduced that population to around 5,000. Since that time, many Moroccan Jews have emigrated to Israel.
Sub-Saharan Africans
People from sub-Saharan Africa have been migrating to Morocco for a long time. During the slave trade, Arab merchants utilized Morocco’s coastal location as a hub. Additionally, it is conceivable that some individuals fled to Morocco to escape the drought and starvation in the Sahel region. Because it is a gateway to Europe, many people from sub-Saharan Africa aspire to move to the country today.
Inter-ethnic relations in Morocco
Since most Moroccans are Muslims, most of these people can interact and communicate with each other as Muslim brothers. There is a peaceful coexistence of Muslim communities, regardless of ethnic origin. However, the Moroccan government has granted sub-Saharan Africans living in Morocco more comprehensive citizenship rights in recent years.