Moroccan Judaism: A Culture in Danger?

I have recently written this review of a documentary which Youness Abeddour produced.  The documentary is very informative and professionally executed.  You may read my review here:

http://moroccoworldnews.com/2011/08/moroccan-judaism-a-culture-in-danger/

Jillali (جيلالي)  

The Batha Museum

Today I finally visited a museum which I have walked past many times.  I have often wanted to visit it to see what it contained, but I have always been too busy until today.  Finally, I took the time to walk through the museum and I was very pleased with what I found.  


The Batha museum which is located in the old medina of Fez, is housed in an old and spacious palace which includes gardens and fountains on the grounds.  I paid ten dirhams to get in and I think that a walk through the gardens would be worth ten dirhams even if the museum was not there.  The gardens are spacious and include several fountains.  The paths of course are paved beautifully with Moroccan tile work and well shaded by many trees, some of which are now weighed down with their summer fruit.  This is all enclosed in the courtyard of the palace.  

Here I stand in the courtyard of the palace.

 The palace is beautiful.  The doors and shudders are painted in a very old and beautiful style.  When entering the palace, the first thing that one comes to is  a room filled with spiritual, religious and scientific articles.  There one may see ancient Quranic manuscripts which are on loan to the museum from the University of Al-Karaouine which is also here in Fez. (It is the oldest university in the world).  Another important part of this exhibit is a collection of ancient astrolabes.  Of course the Arabs invented astrolabes and these are some very fine specimens.  From this room one goes to an exhibit of traditional Moroccan clothing from both the region of Fez and from the Amizigh styles of the north.  The next room contains a collection of ancient jewelry which is followed by a collection of arms and equestrian equipage.  Then one can also see many farm implements and a very nice exhibit of Amazigh rugs.


The one aspect of the collection that continued to stand out throughout the collection was the presence of Moroccan - Jewish pieces.  The Star of David is seen at every turn, in jewelry, candelabras, woodwork, etc.  It is very clear to the careful observer that Judaism was once a very large and important part of the Moroccan culture.  It was very nice to see that reflected in the museum's collections.

    If one has the chance to see the museum, it is definitely a worthwhile excursion.  It gives one a broad introduction to the various aspects of ancient Moroccan culture and it has many fine pieces in its collection.  I am sure that this is not the last time that I will visit it.    


Jillali (جيلالي)