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Morocco? Oh No!

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Morocco? Oh No!
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marrakesh.jpg
In the center of Busch Gardens Moroccan themed area sits the Marrakesh Theatre, home of the Moroccan Roll show. The show is themed in what looks like an Egyptian market, complete with a Pharaoh's sarcophagus. The question is, how many Moroccan Pharaohs were there? The outfits used for the performance are Egyptian themed through the first half, about halfway through the performance the outfits change to "Moroccan" wear. These horizontally striped outfits are designed based stereotypes of how Moroccans dress, its a little better than making them appear Egyptian but it seems to imply that most Moroccans dress like the Shriner's donation collector.
moroccowear.jpg
Can you spot the Moroccan?
egyptianwear.jpg
Ahh. The Moroccan pharaoh!

 

The choice of music for this show may also be questioned. The show begins with the song "Walk Like an Egyptian" which does fit with the costumes somewhat but not at all with the geography, or culture. The next song performed is "Rock the Kasbah" as originally performed by the British punk band The Clash. The Moroccans, who are proud of these innovative structures, which are symbols of wealth and power, probably don't want them "rocked", even in Marrakesh (EOO). Sharif don't like it. They then continue their quasi-African musical theme with their renditions of "Smooth" by Santana and "Livin' la Vida Loca"

This may all seem like it is no big deal but these depictions can lead to stereotypes. Using Egyptian themes in a so called Moroccan stage show can lead to stereotypes about the diversity of African culture. It is just as wrong to imply that Africans have no culture as it is to imply that all of the people across North Africa are the same. Also, by using these songs, such as the Santana song and "Livin' la Vida Loca"  to depict an African setting places both Spanish speakers and Africans into a pigeonhole of "the other". This stage show is meant to be strictly entertainment, but it could present some incorrect ideas as truth to people who may not know much about Africa, especially considering most of the viewers are children.