The social significance of mint tea consumption in Morocco: Reflections on its symbolic representation of Muslim faith, gender prescriptions, socio-economics and hospitality

The purpose of this analysis is to explore the ways in which the Moroccan ritual of mint tea consumption is symbolic of and informed by the underlying core values of Moroccan culture. In particular, issues of Muslim faith, gender prescriptions, socio-economics and hospitality will be explored in detail as they pertain to the ritual of mint tea consumption. The analysis will show that ultimately what and how you drink is what you are. Understanding the particular consumptive practices of a culture is key to understanding what is considered to be right and natural behavior by individuals within that culture

Co-wife Conflict and Cooperation

Conventional wisdom holds that the polygynous family system is as sexually and emotionally satisfying as a monogamous one. Ethnographic accounts of 69 polygynous systems, however, provide compelling evidence that the majority of co-wives in a polygynous family prefer pragmatic co-operation with one another while maintaining a respectful distance. Moreover, there often is a deep-seated feeling of angst that arises over competing for access to their mutual husband. Co-wife conflict in the early years of marriage is pervasive, and often marked by outbursts of verbal or physical violence. Co-wife conflict may be mitigated by social institutions, such as sororal polygyny and some form of social security or health care. Material wealth may be divided more or less equally, but as a husband\u27s sexual attention (a primary source for increased fertility) and affection cannot always be equitably distributed, there is ongoing and contentious rivalry among co-wives. (Co-wife conflict, jealousy, co-operation, pair bond