Basically this is what the month panned out like. Most offices are closed this month as it is a popular vacation month in Morocco. I moved into my house in the first week while simultaneously attending weddings. This month is when many people marry. The wedding are elaborate as many family’s save their entire life in preparation for the 4-day events. Cows are slaughtered, all the furnishings bought, and the home is prepared. I was fortunate to actually attend 5 so far one being my host sisters. It was sooooo beautiful. This is the out fit many  of the brides wear. Female guests wear a variation to this. In respect of the culture I didn’t ask my host sister for a picture but i did ask her to dress me as a Bride so all of you can see.  The music in the Background is Berber music.

I don’t want to go into to many details out of respect for my family. This is an overview:

The engagement happened at the beginning of the year. There was a party for it. Then the preparations began. My Moroccan father added space on the house for the event to house many people. Items began to be purchased. Extra tables, couches, pillows, utensils, etc. A month before my sister did not go outside the house according to tradition. During this month we all helped prepare the house. Decorationsin all. My father bought all the food. A freezer was rented to keep it all in as the heat is tough on food. Two weeks before family arrives. My sister packs her belongings as she will move to her husbands home far away from the house. The big day arrives. People come over. Men and women are separated. guests come in and out of my sisters room saying their goodbyes. Many tears. This was hard for me because it was so emotional and everyone is crying and I became close to my sister and she won’t visit for a long time and not seeing her for a while saddens me. The night of day 1 we all eat on the roof and start singing with the hand drums. we stay up till 4 then get up at 7. Day two the preparation of the brides departure. Very emotional. My Moroccan Mother was so sad. I was lucky to be in the room with my sister when my Moroccan grandmother came in and began to dress her crying. She put her in white and tied a bunch of strong smelling herbs on her head. Her older brother and cousin were in the room crying as well. Then a long white sheet of 8 feet is places above her head held by her brother and cousin. She was sobbing at this point understandably. The immediate family follows her then the rest of the entire douar-neighborhood. She walks to the car with a crowd behind her and then off to her new house. The remaining guests go back to the house and repeat the events of the night before. Day 3 in the afternoon the groom comes in the douar with his crowd carrying in the herbs in hand with and crowd spraying perfume at people. He comes to the roof where the aunts of the bride are and hands her the herbs. She also gives him herbs and they are thrown all over. The women wear their adals and only the eyes are shown. After the groom dines with the men and departs similar to Bride. Day 4 people start to leave.

As you can imagine this was an amazing experience for me. This month was a cultural month for me. I also spent time adjusting to living alone and in a new area of my town. Everyday I interact with people to continue my integration and visit my family often. Currently, I’m preparing for the possibility of teaching health to the local children in the fall. Lesson planning is my life, As well as celebrating being in my lovely town….Ramadan is next months events….