Sweeping the Streets: Stratification in Morocco

Stratification, a phrase to describe how people are organized or divided in a society, has always fascinated me. While abroad in Morocco, I found myself reflecting about who held the most wealth and power,...and who didn't. Morocco, with its rich mix of cultures, religions, and languages, offers a lot to observe in this regard. But what stood out to me the most hasn’t been just the diversity…it’s been the incredible cleanliness and care put into public spaces across the country. 

From the spotless courtyard of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, to the perfectly trimmed trees in Rabat, and the shining sidewalks of Tangier,...Morocco’s cities are impressively well-kept. These aren’t just places that look nice by chance but rather the result of hardworking Moroccan laborers who clean and maintain these areas every day, often in intense working conditions. Whether it be raking leaves, picking up trash, or trimming hedges, their work is constant and visible. 

While much of this labor is often overlooked or taken for granted, it is part of a larger system that reflects both pride and the inequality within Moroccan society. As noted by Davis (1991), social stratification is often visible in the roles people play and how their work is valued. 

This is especially true for the people working to clean the streets of sicks, sand, rocks, ...and just keeping public spaces looking pristine, in general. According to Future of Good (2023), these workers not only clean up cities but also contribute to recycling and sustainability efforts, all while lacking job security or formal benefits. Their resilience and dedication reveal a different side of Morocco…one that’s easy to overlook behind the tourist photos of mosques, sand dunes, and swaying palm trees.

Moroccan worker sleaning the side of a road in Rabat

So, while visitors may marvel at the pristine streets and manicured gardens, it’s important to look a little deeper. These clean spaces are not just a reflection of national pride…they’re the result of tireless labor by people who often remain invisible in conversations about progress and beauty (especailly from a toursit perspective). Recognizing their work is one small step toward understanding the full picture of life and the role stratification plays in Moroccan society. 

References 

Davis, K. (1991). Inequality: The role of stratification. Contexts, 1(3), 23–27. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2949312 

Future of Good. (2023). Morocco’s overlooked waste pickers: Building a cleaner, fairer future. https://futureofgood.co/moroccos-overlooked-waste-pickers-building-a-cleaner-fairer-future/