Sitting on the beach in Restinga looking at the Mediterranean I imagine Phoenicians sailing their galley ships across from Lebanon to Morocco. The oarsmen could rest on a windy day like today as they sailed their ship westward towards Tingis, modern day Tangiers.

What did Phoenicians bring to Morocco? How did Phoenicians impact Moroccan design? These are questions without clear answers, but that make for lovely seaside daydreams.

According to Berber mythology, the town of Tangier was built by the son of Tingis, a goddess. Tingis was the wife of the giant Anateus, son of Poseidon, and later Hercules. She and the location of Tangiers are associated with the union of the sea and the earth ¹. Tingis was one of many Phoenician colonies in Morocco, the others being Lixus (Larache), Sala (Rabat-Sale), Zili (Asilah), and Mogador (Essaouria) ².

I’ve read that Phoenicians were the first to use the hamsa, the hand talisman that is so commonly seen in Morocco toady, which was used to honor Tanit, the lunar goddess and patron goddess of Carthage. Today the hamsa (five) symbol, is also known as the Hand of Fatima, or Hand of Miriam and has specific meaning in Judaic and Islamic cultures. ⁴.

One website calls the Phoenicians “Missionaries of Civilization.” The Phoenicians were one of the early implementers of the alphabet and their language is the precursor to North African Punic. They wrote many books, none of which survive, but which are quoted in ancient texts that survived from other cultures.

Phoenicians were known for their craftsmanship in metal, ivory, terra cotta, wood, glass, and stone. Yet, Phoenician art is not considered to have any identifying characteristics of its own. It embodies a variety of influences picked up from various cultures through trade, the dominant being Egyptian, Greek, and Assyrian. ⁵.

Besides their accomplishments in maritime trade and implementation of the alphabet, Phoenicians developed Tyrian purple pigment from sea snail shells, which was used by Greek elites to dye their clothing. Mogador (Essaouria) was one of the production centers of this pigment, which could only be obtained by trading with the Phoenicians.

So, what did Phoenicians bring to Morocco? The hamsa talisman? Craftsmanship skills in a variety of mediums? The alphabet? Eastern ideas and products? It is hard to say exactly, because just as archeologists argue of Phoenicians origins, one can argue over the origins of Moroccan design. Both the Phoenicians and Moroccan design are products of a world economy, ethnic diversity, and the movement of people, products, and ideas.

The vibrant colors and abstract ornament that characterize Moroccan design find voice in the many music festivals celebrated in Morocco each year. If you visit Morocco this summer, expect to hear the sounds of music in the streets as music festivals around the country celebrate diversity and promote peace. From Whitney Houston and Ziggy Marley to trance-inducing Gnaoua musicians there will be something for all musical tastes in 2008. Each festival includes an intellectual component with seminars and conferences exploring musical history and cultural diversity.

Rabat, Morocco’s capital, will host the Mawazine Festival from May 16-24. Through showcasing world music, the event promotes the values of unity, tolerance, love, security and peace. Mawazine 2008 Art Director Aziz Daki said this year’s event “will buzz to the rhythm of development and more openness towards others. An international symposium will be held in tandem with the festival, focusing on ‘Music of the World and Cultural Diversity’.” For more information about the event, including artists, see Magharebia.com. You can download a copy of the event program in French.

Fes, considered the cultural capital of Morocco and the Muslim West, celebrates its 1200 anniversary this year. It also hosts the fourteenth annual Fes World Sacred Music Festival. The interfaith music festival was founded after the first Gulf war in 1994 to promote peace and cultural understanding. This year’s festival occurs from June 6-14 and features musicians and spirtual music from around the world.

The annual Essaouria Gnaoua and World Music Festival celebrates its 10th year. Gnawa are descendents of African slaves. They include master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants, mediums, and their followers. You can hear the heavy-beat of Gnaoua music on the festival website. Gnawa are Muslims, but their beliefs incorporate African traditions and include ritual possession by spirits.

I imagine Hamlet could hang-out in a city like Essaouira. The air in the coastal town felt particularly damp after the desert drive from Marrakesh. The sky was overcast, the fishermen wore knit caps, and the Portuguese fort overlooking the water had an air of melancholy. As I walked the fortress looking out at the ocean, thoughts of Shakespeare vaguely formed in my mind, interrupted by sounds of chanting and music. I looked down to see Thuya wood artisans crafting inlaid tables. Young apprentices were busily working on their project and stopped to bring the older men mint for their tea. The men played drums while one man made music with his work by chiseling wood to the heavy beat.

The image of these men working has stayed with me for over eight years. Within it is a harmonious mix of age, work, religion, social activity, and leisure. Within it is a glimpse of the diversity, traditions, and social customs found throughout Morocco and the way music unites them all.

Essaouira, which is gaining in popularity, is one of my favorite cities in Morocco. It is home amazing sea food, Thuya wood-working artisans, Moorish/Portuguese architecture, and several music festivals, specifically the annual Gnaoua Festival. Too often Marrakesh and Fes are used as synonyms for the country at-large. One trip to Essaouria and you will understand why this is unfair.

If traveling to Morocco, plan to venture out of the traditional cities. Each city has its own unique style, color, artistic traditions, dialect accent, and attitude. If you don’t like Marrakesh (yes, this is possible), you may love Chefchaouen.

The International Herald Tribune article Morocco: Dramatic variety and a taste of the Arabic world suggests travelers try Essaouria or Chefchaouen, two of my favorites. The article contains a lot of general information about the culture, which will be of use to travelers.

If you get a chance to visit Morocco, plan to travel outside the major cities. It will give you a much better idea of the diversity of Morocco.