HUMANS OF MARRAKESH | LALA FATIMA AND HER TENANT.
-INTRODUCTION -
‘‘Generosity and empathy are two key values that are common among Moroccans. Both values prevail in Moroccans’ day-to-day interactions with each other. An interesting way Moroccans show generosity and empathy is through inviting neighbours over for a meal. Displaying these two values through food, which is one of cornerstones of culture, is very common, especially, among the inhabitants of the cities’ old towns, known as Medina. Neighbours in Medina, for instance, still cherish such a valuable habit of inviting each other around a traditional, scrumptious dish as an act of generosity. More than that, even tenants in the same house share food and invite each other to linger over a meal for the same purpose.’’ – The author.
The coming lines will be devoted to a piece of narrative that aims to depict Moroccans’ generosity and empathy and how much these two important values are deeply rooted in the Moroccan culture. The story is based on real events and settings. It is about Lala Fatima, an affable and generous woman who owns a house in one of the authentic neighbourhoods in Medina in the city of Marrakesh. In Lala Fatima’s house, lives a tenant,
named Lala Zahra with her husband and two children. She occupies the first floor while Lala Fatima, the landlady of the house, lives on the ground floor.
LALA FA TIMA AND HER TENANT: AUTHENTICITY THROUGH GENEROSITY & EMPATHY
It was Sunday, Lala Fatima’s preferred shopping day. She put on her Djelaba and Babouches slippers, took her shopping trolley, and headed to the local market in her neighbourhood called Swiqa. (In Moroccan Darija, especially in the Marrakshi dialect, Swiqa is a diminutive form of the word Souk or market. It is a small, old local marketplace found in every neighbourhood.) That was her favourite spot where she could get all the groceries she needed. While shopping, she ran into her tenant, Lala Zahra. She greeted her with a cheerful smile and said: ‘‘Good morning, Lala Zahra, how’re you doing today?’’ Lala Zahra gleefully greeted her back and replied: ‘‘Good morning, Lala Fatima, my dear! Well, I’m under the weather today, but Alhamdolilah; and how about you?’’ Lala Fatima’s smile suddenly disappeared as she seemed to be worried about her tenant’s health. She immediately asked: ‘‘What’s the matter?’’ ‘‘I have a severe backache. I can’t
even walk properly while I’m still pregnant.’’ replied Lala Zahra. ‘‘Have mercy on yourself, Ala Zahra! You’re pregnant; and too much physical effort is risky for you. My daughter Zainab can take care of everything you need; she’s your daughter too! So, there’s nothing to worry about.’’ said Lala Fatima, then she announced: ‘‘By the way, it’s Sunday; we gonna have lunch together again! I have a special dish for you this time.’’ Lala Zahra seemed to be relieved after she felt her landlady’s compassion; she thanked her and promised that she would take care of herself well. Lala Fatima knew that her tenant’s food craving during pregnancy was a special Marrakshi dish, known as Terda. (In some places, such a dish might be known as Trid or Rfissa, but there are some differences in the ingredients. In Marrakesh, the ingredients of Terda dish consist of stale leftover bread, tomatoes, onions, lentils, in addition to some special herbs and spices. Sometimes, cured dried meat, called Guedid in Moroccan Darija, can be added too.) Lala Fatima came back home and started preparing her tenant’s favourite dish in hopes that she would like it. She knew how tough pregnancy could get when it came to food craving. Around lunch time, she called her tenant from her tiny courtyard to come over. Lala Fatima finally added the finishing touches to the special dish; she served it in the Qassria, a special plate made of clay, brought it to the living room, and said: ‘‘Here is your special dish, Alala Zahra! Bismillah!’’ Lala Zahra’s reaction was priceless; she really had been longing for that dish. ‘‘It was a finger-licking one; you nailed it! May Allah reward you, La Fatima!’’ said the tenant after they finished eating. Lala Fatima was glad to see her tenant happy and invigorated again. She promised to prepare her favourite dish anytime she wanted. In the end, Lala Fatima wished Lala Zahra an easy and safe pregnancy and a healthy child who would bring joy and blessings to her life.
