Home › Culture › Moroccan People

Where are Moroccans from?

The Moroccans are the inhabitants and the citizens of Morocco. The majority of the Moroccan population is Berber (including the Arabized Berbers of the coastal plains), Arab (including the Hassanya of the Sahara), Moorish from Al Andalus (actual Spain, they have preserved, in the traditional medinas of the country, an important part of the Andalusian civilization) and Black (Harratins of the south and descendants of Sub-Saharan slaves of the Songhai Empire who have bequeathed the Gnawa culture and its significant mystical and musical heritage).

Are Moroccans White or Black?

Moroccans are viewed as White; North-Africa has been called “White Africa” for a long time, as opposed to Sub-Saharan Africa (black).

Genetics of the Moroccan population

Paternal lineage

On average, 65% of the Maghreb's paternal lineages come from North-Africa, 20% come from the Middle East, 10% come from West or East Africa and 5% come from Europe, with possible significant variations depending on the regions.

Maternal lineage

The genetic study of mitochondrial DNA, being exclusively transmitted by women to their children, allows us to follow the – direct - maternal lineage of a family, an ethnicity or a species. The majority of the Berber people have a mitochondrial DNA of West-Eurasian origin. The oldest direct maternal lineage of Berbers goes back to the Paleolithic (30,000 before our era) and is represented by the U6 haplogroup (West-Eurasian origin). This haplogroup is specific to Berbers, and its frequency increases when going towards the West. According to a genetics study conducted in 2010, the people of North-Africa are – partly, and on the maternal side - the descendants of migrants coming from the Iberian Peninsula, who arrived approximately 8,000-9,000 years ago.

Is Morocco an Arab country?

Most Moroccan people are Berber with North-African DNA, but most Moroccan are speaking or at least understanding the Moroccan Arabic called Darija, that's why Morocco is considered an "Arab country".

Morocco People - Moroccan berber girl working

Moroccan berber girl making a berber carpet

Identity Today: Amazigh, Arab and Everything In Between

Ask a Moroccan what they are and you may get several answers at once: Moroccan first, then Amazigh or Arab, often both. The 2011 constitution recognizes this plural identity - it made Tamazight an official language alongside Arabic and lists the Amazigh, Arab-Andalusi, Hassani and African components of the national identity. Naming reflects it too: both Arabic and Amazigh first names are registered every day.

To go deeper: our guides to Amazigh (Berber) culture, religion in Morocco and Moroccan names each tell a part of the story - as do weddings, food and music.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ethnicity are Moroccans?

Moroccans are mainly of Amazigh (Berber) and Arab heritage, often mixed over thirteen centuries, with Andalusi (from Muslim Spain), Sub-Saharan (Gnaoua, Haratin) and Sahrawi-Hassani components. Identity varies by region more than by strict ethnic lines.

Are Moroccans Arabs or Berbers?

Both, and usually a mix. The indigenous people of Morocco are the Amazigh (Berbers); Arab tribes settled from the 7th century onward. Today most families carry both heritages - Arabic and Tamazight are both official languages.

What language do Moroccan people speak?

Most Moroccans speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and many speak one of the three Amazigh languages (Tarifit, Tamazight, Tashelhit). French is widely used in business, and Spanish and English are common in the north and in tourism.

Are Moroccan people friendly to tourists?

Hospitality is a cornerstone of Moroccan culture - guests are traditionally treated with generosity. Expect mint tea, conversation and help with directions, especially outside the busiest tourist circuits.

Are Moroccans Black or White?

Neither label fits Morocco well. Moroccans span a wide range of skin tones - fair complexions are common in the north and among many Amazigh and Andalusi families, while brown and Black Moroccans of Sub-Saharan heritage (such as the Gnaoua and Haratin) have long been established in the south and the oasis valleys. Morocco is a North African country at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, the Amazigh world and the Sahara, so appearance varies widely and does not map onto a single race.

What race are Moroccans?

Race is a Western category that fits Moroccan identity poorly; Moroccans define themselves ethnically and culturally instead. They are predominantly Amazigh (Berber) and Arab, with Andalusi, Sub-Saharan African and Sahrawi-Hassani ancestry. Genetic studies point to a deep North African (Amazigh) foundation with later Arab, European and Sub-Saharan contributions.

Are Moroccans Black or Arab?

Most Moroccans are of mixed Amazigh (Berber) and Arab heritage rather than Black. Black Moroccans - descendants of Sub-Saharan peoples such as the Gnaoua and Haratin - have been part of the population for centuries, especially in southern Morocco and the oases. Both communities are Moroccan, and many families blend several of these origins.