We’re back, now it’s ‘Game Time.

’ Firstly we will start out with the language game,

I would like to take this opportunity to teach Ambassador some Thai language
lessons. Your Excellency just arrived in January/ February this year?
Here are the Thai Tongue Twisters that foreigners find hard to pronounce

Easy one: องุน

่ A-ngoon - Grape
Medium one: ใครขายไข่ไก่ - Who sells the chicken egg

Hardest one: Yai Kin Lamyai, Namlai Yai Lai Yoy

(Grandma eats Longan, Her saliva drips down)

Sao suay sai suea si saet

Suam son soong si som
(A pretty lady wears orange shirt and orange high heels

Finish on Thai language part, this time I would like to learn about Moroccan
Arabic language. Could you teach me some slangs or Tongue Twisters?

Also French is another language used in Morocco, can be spoken in business and
government affairs due to history of French military occupation in Morocco.

Ambassador is from city of Mohammadia, in Morocco. It was a French Protectorate

area? Est-ce que vous parlez français? J'ai appris le français au lycée

Now we will also do tongue twisters in French

Next up is the “10 Seconds” game. I’m going to read out a question about Morocco.
You have 10 seconds to answer the question and after finish answering quickly hit
the bell so we can stop the timer. If you cannot answer the question correctly within
10 seconds, then no point on that question. Please wait until I finish reading the
question and I say “Go!” then you can start answering. There is a timer right there.

1. Name 3 languages spoken in Morocco

Arabic - According to Morocco's constitution, there are two official languages:

Arabic and Tamazight, with the local Arabic or Darija being the most widely
spoken language by over 90% of the population. Arabic language came from
Arab conquest in Northwest Africa in the 7 th century.

Berber - The Berber languages, also known as the Amazigh languages, are
spoken by indigenous community of North Africa.

French, Spanish - From colonial period and nearby location

2. Name 3 popular food in Morocco

Couscous - National dish, Couscous is a traditional Berber dish.

In Morocco, couscous there is made from semolina flours or durum wheat or
pasta wheat made into tiny balls which is cooked by steaming.
It is traditionally served with a meat or vegetable stew.
Couscous is a staple food throughout the North African cuisines of Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya

Tajine - a North African dish, named after a traditional Moroccan cooking vessel
or pot in which it is cooked. It is also called maraq which is cone-shaped cover
Chicken tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish - slow-cooked savory stews made
with meat, poultry, or fish, are cooked with vegetables, dried fruit, and nuts

Rfissa - Stewed chicken - influenced by Arab cuisine and especially served in

the holy month of Ramadan. Spices include ras el hanout (ราสอัลฮานต์)
(Ras el hanout is a spice mix of ginger, tumeric, cinnamon, coriander, pepper)
It is considered Prophet Muhammad's favorite dish.

Mrouzia - Sweet and spicy Moroccan tagine usually made with lamb, but beef
or goat meat can also be used. Traditionally prepared in the days following the
Islamic holiday of Eid Al Adha (willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son
Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah's command). Lamb is most popular
Again, seasoned with ras el hanout, saffran, cumin, ginger, saffron

Harira soup - a hearty tomato-based Moroccan soup made from a variety of

vegetables with lentils, chickpeas, and coriander. Add vermicelli pasta or rice

Méchoui (เม-ชวี) or Meshwi is a whole sheep or lamb spit-roasted on a

barbecue in Maghrebi (or Northwest Africa) cuisine. In Algeria and Morocco,
the term méchoui "refers to the method of cooking a lamb or a sheep cooked
whole on the spit." Very popular in North Africa.

Dessert: Seffa - Both sweet and savory dish. Seffa is a Maghrebi term for a
dish of sweetened semolina couscous with butter, raisins, cinnamon, and
almonds. The dish may have meat, and it can be made with vermicelli or rice.
This dish is generally eaten at the end of a meal, before dessert.

Pastilla - Meat or seafood pie made with warqa dough, which is similar to filo-
Filo or phyllo is a very thin unleavened dough used for making pastries such as
baklava and börek in Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. It is a specialty of
Morocco and Algeria.
 3. Name 3 things or inventions that originated from Morocco
(This can be technology, food, clothing, art, culture etc. )

- Moroccan style clothing:

Djellaba (เจอลาบา) - Long, loose-fitting outer robe with full sleeves that is worn
in the Maghreb region. It also has the hood as well? Hoody put on the heads

Kaftans - Kaftans are worn by women of different social groups and the word
kaftan is commonly used to mean a "one-piece traditional fancy dress."
A variant of the robe or tunic. Silk or have sparkly crystal designs.

Fez hat - Abu the monkey (from Aladdin). Shape of a short cylinder hat, usually
comes in red color, and sometimes with a black tassel attached to the top. The
name "fez" refers to the Moroccan city of Fez, where the dye to colour the hat
was extracted from crimson berries.

- Tajine pot: cooking vessel made from red clay used to cook Tajine dishes

- Berber carpets - known as “Loop style carpeting” commonly seen in living

rooms because of the way the fibers are formed with short, thick loops that
weave back and forth to create the signature tight look. Berber carpet is known
for being one of the oldest and most durable kinds of carpet

- Peacock plate (Tabsil taws) - usually seen in most household in Morroco

The back of the plate says in Arabic 'A taws al hor', two words, which mean as
much as 'Original Peacock'.

- "Berrad" Teapot or Moroccan teapot

“Berrad" literally means "cooler", comes from the teapot in the tea preparation
ceremonies, where it is used to collect boiling water, to infuse tea with mint and
keep it warm during the ceremony. Though “Berrad” means “Cool”

4. Name 3 public holiday in Morocco

(Explain religion and governing system in Morocco based on important days)

Eid al-Fitr อีด-เอา-ฟิ ต (April 20-21) - Celebration at the end of Ramadan (Fasting for 1
month, prayer, reflection and community)

Islamic/ Hijri New Year (July 30) - the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year

Birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (October 9 - 10) - Important date in Islamic
religion, 99% of the population are Sunni Muslim. Because Muhammad was the
chosen recipient and messenger of the word of God through the divine revelations
 Independence Day / Fete de l'Independence (November 18)
Morocco's National Day and commemorates Moroccan independence on the date King
Mohammed returned from exile in 1955.

A bit of history time: Morocco recognized King Mohammed V as Sultan from 1927 to
1953 until French colonialism which made King Mohammed V and his family into exile.
They sent him to Corsica in 1953 and to Madagascar in 1954. While in exile for over 2
years, there were acts of terrorism in the country. The French government also faced
rebellion in Algeria which allowed King Mohammed V to return to Morocco in
November 1955, which marks this public holiday.

The following year, in March 1956, the King began negotiating with France and Spain
to secure Morocco’s independence. Mohammed V agreed to the gradual restoration of
his country’s independence, within a framework of interdependence between Morocco
and France. He agreed to institute reforms that would transform Morocco into a
constitutional monarchy with a democratic government, which lasts until this day.

5. Morocco has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, list out 3 of them

Name the 4 imperial cities are Rabat, Marrakesh, Fes, Meknes and Rabat, all had
architecture and city structure from foreign influence since inflow of Arab tribes from
Muslim conquest of the Maghreb (มาเกร๊ป) or Northwest Africa in the 7th century and
Almoravid dynasty - imperial Berber Muslim dynasty in 11th century and French
colonialism in early 20th century.

Rabat - Modern Capital and Historic City, a shared heritage

Islamic Historical sites: Hassan Mosque (begun in 1184) built during the reign of King
Hassan II, son of King Mohammed V of Morocco. Also, Almohad wall and gate remains
from North African Berber Muslim empire founded in the 12th century.

Western modernism: New town built under the French Protectorate from 1912 to the
1930s, which include Jardins d’Essais or botanical gardens, royal and administrative
areas, residential and commercial developments

Medina of Fez - Previous capital city of Morocco before moved to Rabat in 1912 after the
Treaty of Fez. Royal Palace in Fes or Fes el-Jdid, the royal citadel of the Marinid dynasty,
in 1276 CE. The medina of Fez was founded in the 9th century at around the same time
that Islam arrived in Morocco and the imperial rule that would create the country began. It
grew in the 12th and 13th centuries to about the size that it is today. Fez was the capital of
Morocco for over four centuries, and it still remains the cultural center of the country, as
well as one of the most important religious centers.
Medina of Marrakesh - Medina was founded in 1070 as the capital of the Almoravid
empire. It continued to serve as the Imperial capital on and off for hundreds of
years.Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre. Impressive
monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque - largest mosque in
Marrakesh, the Kasbah - citadel or fortified quarter of a city (same as the term alcazaba
in Spanish), El Badi Palace for for Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th century and
the Saadian Tombs. Marketplace, souks

Historic City of Meknes - 1 of the 4 imperial cities in Morocco

Home to Bab Mansour is a monumental gate, it was originally the main ceremonial
entrance to the Kasbah (royal citadel) of Sultan Moulay Isma'il, built in the late 17th and
early 18th centuries. Today it is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.

Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a
capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty.
The sultan turned the city into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by
high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European
styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today.

Archaeological site of Volubilis - It was the capital of the Mauretanian kingdom under
the reigns of Juba II and Ptolemy (A.D. 25 to 40). Volubilis is one of the largest and most
important archaeological sites in Morocco, with the remains of settlements dating from the
pre-Roman to the early Islamic periods. Volubilis was a major producer of olive oil. The
remains of buildings dedicated to olive pressing are still readily visible, as are the remains
of the original presses and olive mills.

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (ไอท์ เบน ฮาโด) - Ksar means "Fortified village," from Arabic
word: Qaṣar. Buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The
houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers.
Ksar is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco.
Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate (อัวซาแซด) province - south of Morocco’s Atlas mountains

Medina of Essaouira (เอเซย ี ราทอน) - Port city

Essaouira is an example of a late-18th-century fortified town, built according to the
principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context.
Since its foundation, it has been a major international trading seaport, linking Morocco
and its Saharan hinterland with Europe and the rest of the world.
The Medina of Essaouira, formerly named Mogador (name originating from the
Phoenician word Migdol meaning a « small fortress »)
Medina of Tétouan (เททูอน ั ) - Since the 8th century onwards, Tétouan served as the main
point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia, Southernmost autonomous community
in Peninsular Spain. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees
who had been expelled by the Spanish. This is well illustrated by its art and architecture,
which reveal clear Andalusian influence.

Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) - Another port city

The Portuguese fortification of Mazagan, now part of the city of El Jadida, southwest of
Casablanca, was built as a fortified colony on the Atlantic coast in the early 16th century.
The fortification with its bastions and ramparts is an early example of Renaissance
military design. The surviving Portuguese buildings include the Church of the Assumption,
built in the Manueline style of late Gothic architecture. The Portuguese City of Mazagan -
one of the early settlements of the Portuguese explorers in West Africa on the route to
India - well reflected in architecture, technology, and town planning.

6. What animal in Morocco that climb trees but usually not in other countries?

Tree climbing goats - when I first see the video of these goats, I ask myself: How is this
possible? It’s because the dry climate of Morocco doesn't allow for much fruits and
vegetable to grow on the ground, the goats then find their food on trees. They like to
eat the Argan fruit, so they climb the trees instinctively in search for food. So this has
become the natural phenomenon unique to the North African nation.

Argan fruits are 8 to 10 meters high up in the trees. The goats eat up the argan fruit
and spit the seeds out, which people collect to make argan oil. It is a valuable export
for Morocco. For a 150ml bottle of quality argan oil, you can expect to pay up to 200
Dirhams เดียรแฮม (roughly US $20) The argan oil generates more than $6.5 million
per year for Morocco's economy.

Organic Pure Oil Argan Oil, or Marrakesh Oil, is all 100% pure, natural, cold-pressed
oil from the Argan tree. For generations, natives of the Argan Forest in Morocco have
pressed the nut to extract this precious oil to use as a hair conditioner and moisturizer.

Q&A People:

Merieme Chadid was born in Casablanca in 1969 and is the first Moroccan
woman to travel to the South Pole, where she planted the first Moroccan flag. She
led international scientific program that installed a major astronomical observatory
in the middle of the frozen continent to study the stars. She explains that her
greatest achievement is her work at Dome C in Antarctica, as it is one of the
coldest, most deserted and inaccessible places in the world.