The Significance of Blue in Morocco

Berber traditions are deeply steeped in the supernatural. Arabs, Berbers, and many Jews profoundly believe in the power of the color of blue to ward off evil spirits. It would be impossible to count the doorways and the windows that are painted blue in Morocco and in many other areas of North Africa and the Middle East. It is attributed to a mysterious supernatural power called, "kimia" where even the poorest faithful peasants are able to survive despite subsistent levels of food, often only scant quantities of bread dipped in oil. Satiety is said to be attained more by faith than by food. "What isn't known can't be stolen...." Who can say whether this ancient saying was born out of folklore or the reality of prevalent thieves? Nonetheless, in Morocco perhaps more than any other area of North Africa, the cloak of secrecy and the characteristic of self-debasing modesty exist side by side with scenes of secluded walled courtyards, hidden door-ways painted a luminous blue, women clad in burkas (head-to-toe enveloping cloth "veils"), and djellaba clad men together with vendors of amulets, potions, and formulas all guaranteed to ward off the evil eye. These indigenous nomad peoples of Morocco are called, "Tuareg" or, people of the veil.