Marrakech Trip Overview
A tribute to Moroccan women – mothers, workers, artists, scientists, leaders who have shone and showcased their work inside and outside the country, thus becoming ambassadors of Morocco.
If Morocco has enlightened men, it has also given birth to an elite of women who contribute to the development of the country, and of which Moroccan society must be proud.
Additional Info
* Duration: 4 hours
* Starts: Marrakech, Morocco
* Trip Category: Shopping & Fashion >> Fashion Shows & Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Marrakech, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
A tribute to Moroccan women – mothers, workers, artists, scientists, leaders who have shone and showcased their work inside and outside the country, thus becoming ambassadors of Morocco.
If Morocco has enlightened men, it has also given birth to an elite of women who contribute to the development of the country, and of which Moroccan society must be proud.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mausoleum of Youssef Ben Tachfine, Rue Sidi Mimoun, Old Medina Across Youssef Ben Tachfine Mosque, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
ZAINAB AL-NAFZAWIYYA
Zainab al-Nafzawiyya
Country
Morocco
Known For
Co-Ruler of Berber Empire
Dates
Ruled From: Hijri 453–500 (AH); Common Era 1061–1107 (CE)
Biography
Zainab al-Nafzawiyya of the Berber Empire, co-ruled the kingdom with her husband Yusuf ibn Tashufin who was the founder of the Tashufinid Dynasty. The influence of their empire spread from Spain and across North Africa. According to the 14th century text, “Al-Bayan al-Maghreb,” Zainab, after having rejected a number of suitors, citing that she would only marry a man who could govern the entire Maghreb, initially married Yusuf’s cousin Abu Bakr. It was Abu Bakr who began building the city of Marrakech. Yet, when her first husband had to leave her for a substantial period of time to suppress a rebellion in his lands in the desert, they divorced and she subsequently wed Yusuf. Because of the wealth, connections, and sound counsel Zainab brought to the marriage her husband was able to carve out a large Berber Empire. In 1086, he attacked Spain, re-establishing Islamic primacy in the region. She had the right to the title Malika or queen and was perhaps the most famous Berber queen to bear the honour. Zainab was renowned in her time as a woman of great beauty, nobility, and intelligence. Some claimed that she was a sorceress and that she controlled jinn. According to legend, the one who was able to win her hand would gain the right to a treasure of gold and pearls, buried underground. Certainly, the wealth that Zainab brought to her marriage with Yusuf indicates that at least the last had some bearing in reality. Sources of the time name her as the one who ruled her husband’s kingdom in truth. Although her influence was a well-known fact throughout the kingdom, her name was nonetheless excluded from the weekly khutbahs whose purpose was to affirm the ruler’s right to reign.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Koubba of Fatima Zohra, Avenue Mohammed V, 40020, Marrakech 40020 Morocco
the tomb of Koubba de Lalla Zohra. Although typically Islam forbids the worship of any individuals, Moroccan Islam incorporates the worship of saints and holy men and women, known as marabout. When travelling, you will see the mausoleums and monuments to their memory across the country – typically as white-washed, square koubba buildings with domed roofs and crenulated walls.
Beside the Koutoubia, you will find one such tomb, that of Koubba de Lalla Zohra (also known as Lalla Zahra el Kouch). She was buried here in the 18th century. As is common in Moroccan history, where little was recorded in writing and stories morph slightly with each recitation, Zohra’s origins are unclear. The most common legend has it that she was the daughter of a liberated sub-Saharan slave who, after converting to Islam, became an Imam (Islamic preacher). Another indicates her father was Abdellah el Kouch, chef to a Sheikh. A further story, perhaps tangled in the mists of time, suggests she was actually part of the Almohad dynasty and therefore a kind of aristocrat. Either way, locals believe that by day she was a woman who died young, but by night she became a dove. Flying through the ancient city, she performed miracles and religious acts and learned all of Marrakech’s secrets. In a religion dominated by male scholars, Lalla Zohra is an important figure for local women and has assumed the status of a saint. Many pay their respects at her tomb and send their children to be blessed there. Some Marrakchis may still name their children after Zohra.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Women’s Museum – Marrakech, 19 Rue Sidi Abdel Aziz Souk Jeld, Marrakech 40030 Morocco
he first cultural initiative of this kind in North Africa, the Women’s Museum in Marrakech aims to present and to preserve the culture of Moroccan women.
The museum first opened its doors in September 2018, in the heart of the Ochre City’s medina – in the Sidi Abdelaziz quarter – close to the Ben Youssef mosque and medersa, the Almoravid Qubba, and also next to the Dar Bellarj cultural foundation. Thanks to this ideal location for the museum, Moroccan women and their achievements are well surrounded and can thus receive the interest they deserve from the public.
The museum also offers a space for contemporary artists (painters, poets, photographers and so on) to express themselves – with the goal being to help them to develop.
This place pays tribute to ALL women: to the woman of influence who has made a name for herself as much as the homemaker who has remained unknown.
Although Morocco has seen a male elite do well, it has also given birth to a female elite who have contributed to the country’s deve.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Medina of Marrakesh, Derb Fhal Zefriti n06 Derb Fhal Zefriti, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
Saida Menebhi (1952, Marrakesh – 11 December 1977, Casablanca) was a Moroccan poet and activist of a Marxist revolutionary movement Ila al-Amam. In 1975, she, together with five other members of the movement, was sentenced for seven years of imprisonment for anti-state activity. In the jail in Casablanca, she went on hunger strike and died on the 34th day of the strike.
Her poetry, collected and published in 2000, is considered a prime example of Moroccan revolutionary and feminist literature. She wrote in French.
