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BERBER DOG |
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 Almond trees blossom in front of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a walled city. © David Muenker |
"My ears are popping," Hakim said.
"That happens when you go up to a high elevation quickly like we're doing," Uncle Omar explained.
Sonya shook her head rapidly. "That feels better," she woofed.
The road descended into a dry, brown landscape. Huge tents stood on the land like houses.
"Who lives there?" Sonya asked.
"Nomads," Uncle Omar replied. "They pitched their tents here so their animals can graze on the vegetation."
Sonya watched a boy tend the sheep and goats.
"In a month or so, they'll move to another place."
The long ride lulled Sonya to sleep.
 A Berber woman spins wool into yarn by hand. © David Muenker |
"Wake up, Sonya," Hakim shouted. "We're getting close to the casbah!"
A grand, sandy brown structure stood on the hillside.
Sonya rubbed her eyes and stared at the scene. "It looks like a huge sand castle!"
"It's a walled city called Ait-Ben-Haddou," Uncle Omar explained. "In the past, camel caravans from faraway places came through here."
"Who lives here now?" Sonya asked.
"About 10 families live inside the walls today. Most people want the conveniences of modern houses."
"It's a World Heritage Site, too, right Uncle Omar?" Hakim said.
"Yes. And movie companies like to make films here. Parts of the Indiana Jones movie, Jewel of the Nile, were filmed here."
"Wow, can we go inside?"
"Sure. Follow me."
 A small kitchen holds glasses, dishes and pots. © David Muenker |
They walked through a beautiful orchard. Bright green grass grew under the almond trees.
Inside the casbah walls, they climbed steep, dirt streets. The view stretched to the far horizon.
Black goats munched on hay in a pen. Hakim plugged his nose, but Sonya loved the stinky smell.
At a doorway, Uncle Omar called out something in Arabic. Soon a man appeared.
"Hello, Omar. Who do we have here?" he asked the uncle.
"My nephew Hakim and his friend Sonya from the United States."
"Welcome to my home! Come have some mint tea. But first, let me show you around."
They looked inside the tiny, narrow kitchen. Shelves held tea pots and glasses. Pots and pans hung on the walls. Another room held a wood-burning oven.
"The fires create a lot of heat so we have this separate room for baking," Uncle Omar's friend explained.
The bedroom had one double bed and a table with a small TV on it. The walls were bare except for movie posters. Beautiful rugs covered the floor.
"Please make yourselves at home," the man said as he sat down on the floor. A boy walked in with a tray of glasses filled with mint tea.
 Sonya watches closely as a Berber woman prepares yarn for a rug. © 2007 Ravay Snow |
Sonya sat on a colorful carpet. "These rugs are so pretty!"
"Would you like to see how they're made?"
"Yes!" Sonya woofed.
"I'll take you to the Berber rug merchant's home. Right now, let's enjoy our tea."
Later, they visited the merchant. Several rugs were piled on the floor. Other rugs were displayed on the walls.
The Berber pointed out the different designs on the rugs. "They represent important things in our lives, like the mountains and desert." Sonya and Hakim admired the beautiful colors and designs.
"My wife will show you how she weaves rugs on a loom."
A woman sitting on the floor smiled brightly at them. She had traditional tattoos on her forehead and chin.
She motioned to Sonya to sit beside her and watch. She used a wood shuttle to weave the yarn back and forth on the loom.
Then she gave Sonya the shuttle and smiled.
"She's letting me try!" Sonya's tail wagged with excitement.
The woman placed the shuttle between the loom's threads and Sonya nudged it to the other side.
 The rug merchant shows rugs with a variety of designs. © David Muenker |
The woman smiled with a look that said "well done." Sonya proudly moved the yarn back and forth. She was having so much fun, she didn't feel the time pass by.
"Time to leave, Sonya," Uncle Omar said. "We need to rest up for our ride into the desert tomorrow."
"This rug is going to be so pretty," Sonya sighed.
"They want to give it to you when it's done."
"They do?" Sonya jumped and spun in happy circles.
"Yes. They were impressed with how much you enjoyed weaving. They want you to have this rug as a keepsake of your visit here. We'll pick it up when we get back from the desert."
Sonya nuzzled the Berber woman's cheek. "Thank you!" The woman giggled quietly and patted Sonya's head.
That night Sonya slept with visions of beautiful Berber rugs dancing in her head.
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about the sights and sounds of this World Heritage Site.
Test your understanding of words used in this story with the Word Match game.
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Photographs ©2005-2010 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2010 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2010 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
