Moroccan Whisky

Hassan Bahara

“I am not really fond of traditions”, says Hassan Bahara [27], writer of the book ‘A story from the city of Damsko’. Bahara doesn’t easily come into contact with folkloric traditions. “Simply because I live in Holland. Traditions don’t attach great value to me. But in Moroccan circles I still maintain Moroccan etiquette, like when greeting, or expressing certain sayings at pertinent situations.” During his holidays in Morocco Bahara sometimes comes across conspicuous traditions or festive days. As example he mentions the Ghost Tahsort. On this festive day people throw water at each other. Later in the night someone goes onto the streets dressed as a ghost to scare the children. “When I joined this festive day I was ten or eleven. I wasn’t scared myself of course”, assures Bahara. “I don’t know what’s the idea behind this festivity.” According to Bahara traditions lose vigour: “Many Moroccan traditions descend from the pre-Islamic period. The customs are commonly not in keeping with the rules of Islam. People are realising this more and more. On the other hand you can see that some traditions have an Islamic touch. That’s how they continue to exist. To me it is fine if traditions continue to exist. They don’t harm anyone and sometimes traditions even are pretty funny.” Bahara also has a habit that he holds on to. “I drink mint tea every day, at least twice. Sometimes even three times”, tells a laughing Bahara. “I always enjoy mint tea and with the right Chinese tea it can never go wrong.” In the language of Moroccan people Moroccan mint tea is also called Moroccan whisky, it is the national drink of Morocco. “Usually the tea is poured into a glass from a meter high to create a foam from the sugar ”, explains Bahara. “And such a technique is not something you master in two shakes!”