virginity should not be a taboo subject in morocco
Soumaya Gnaou
SSK 1212 01
12th July 2013
Final paper
Virginity Should Not Be a Taboo Subject in Morocco
Virginity has long been considered as a taboo subject in Morocco. Many are the families who refer to this subject as hachouma: a word that in this context, means an excuse to avoid speaking about the subject. To be more specific, it’s a way of saying that we should feel shame while talking about this revolutionary topic. But what is it about virginity that makes most Moroccans speechless? Is it the heavy weight of tradition, people’s ignorance, fear of being misunderstood, or fear of being considered as ill mannered?
“Virginity is the state of a person who has never had any sexual experience or intercourse with any partner” (Acim). This is the general way to explain what virginity is. However, in Morocco this definition is much more specific: it is directly related to human anatomy and considered as “the presence of a piece of flesh called the hymen placed in the vagina” (Hourany).
However, virginity can be approached publicly in some occasions or events particularly in al-Dokhla: the early morning after the wedding night where both of the newlyweds’ families take the bride’s trousers stained with blood and put it on an engraved copper tray in order to show it to both the families and guests. The trousers of al-Dokhla not only represent a tradition, but they also represent a message to all of the gathered: it is a way to show off the bride's purity, and a way to prove that she was a virgin before the wedding.
Yes, virginity in Morocco has long embodied the families' pride and honor.
In this paper we will discuss the thesis that says that virginity should not be a taboo subject in Morocco because of Islam, modern day ethics, and the dramatic consequences of Moroccan laws toward rape. In order to develop this topic, we will first introduce virginity in Morocco, and explain why this
topic should not be considered as a taboo subject.
SSK 1212 01
12th July 2013
Final paper
Virginity Should Not Be a Taboo Subject in Morocco
Virginity has long been considered as a taboo subject in Morocco. Many are the families who refer to this subject as hachouma: a word that in this context, means an excuse to avoid speaking about the subject. To be more specific, it’s a way of saying that we should feel shame while talking about this revolutionary topic. But what is it about virginity that makes most Moroccans speechless? Is it the heavy weight of tradition, people’s ignorance, fear of being misunderstood, or fear of being considered as ill mannered?
“Virginity is the state of a person who has never had any sexual experience or intercourse with any partner” (Acim). This is the general way to explain what virginity is. However, in Morocco this definition is much more specific: it is directly related to human anatomy and considered as “the presence of a piece of flesh called the hymen placed in the vagina” (Hourany).
However, virginity can be approached publicly in some occasions or events particularly in al-Dokhla: the early morning after the wedding night where both of the newlyweds’ families take the bride’s trousers stained with blood and put it on an engraved copper tray in order to show it to both the families and guests. The trousers of al-Dokhla not only represent a tradition, but they also represent a message to all of the gathered: it is a way to show off the bride's purity, and a way to prove that she was a virgin before the wedding.
Yes, virginity in Morocco has long embodied the families' pride and honor.
In this paper we will discuss the thesis that says that virginity should not be a taboo subject in Morocco because of Islam, modern day ethics, and the dramatic consequences of Moroccan laws toward rape. In order to develop this topic, we will first introduce virginity in Morocco, and explain why this
topic should not be considered as a taboo subject.