Exploring the Art of Arabic Calligraphy in Marrakech
![Exploring the Art of Arabic Calligraphy in Marrakech](https://res.cloudinary.com/roundglass/image/upload/w_1600,f_auto/v1686747342/rg/collective/media/9U2A0863_qawey5.jpg)
I took an Arabic calligraphy class with Abderrahim Hamza, a master teacher and artist. He gave me a brief introduction to the history of the craft, and the ways in which it’s used for both secular and religious purposes.
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Using bamboo quill pens, he demonstrated the basic techniques for making strokes, and how to form letters using these strokes. He also spoke about the importance of accents — dots, lines, and squiggles that change the sound and meaning of letters depending on where they’re placed. It’s not easy, but as I practiced I found myself relaxing despite my unfamiliarity with the alphabet or the medium.
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And even though I was concentrating intently, my relaxation deepened. Mr. Hamza spoke about how calligraphy can be a form of meditation, especially when one is writing passages from the Koran. In that context, the practice is considered a form of devotion, akin to praying out loud. This made perfect sense to me, because notwithstanding my status as a complete novice, the feeling of calm, concentrated focus on doing my best work — making each stroke count, and fit harmoniously into the whole — was profound.