In the Maghreb, as Ramadan ends with the Eid al-Fitr celebration, the husband is expected to give his wife a gift. This is a reward for her efforts and culinary talents during the holy month. It's known as the "right of salt," a widespread tradition in Morocco that should be preserved.
“The right to salt is a recognition of the efforts made by women during the month of Ramadan, given the work and responsibilities they assume at home, such as preparing meals for iftar and suhoor. This is why our ancestors used to give a gift to their wives at the end of Ramadan. This is also what I do, and I try to preserve this tradition in order to encourage our children to continue it with their wives in the future,” explains Hassan El Fezouati, a retiree.
In the narrow streets of Rabat's old city, Hassan El Fezouati is searching for a special gift for his wife for Eid. Hassan El Fezouati can no longer afford to buy her jewelry. This year, the retiree is turning to traditional clothing because of his limited budget.
"I used to buy my wife gold jewelry most of the time, but now that I'm retired, my financial situation no longer allows me to. Despite this, I decided to surprise her. After visiting several shops, I decided to buy her a traditional outfit, especially since she had told me one day that she needed one. So I chose to surprise her with it," the retiree explained.
But for his wife, the "right to salt" isn't necessarily synonymous with a gift. A loving expression would be enough to bring joy.
"I feel happy when I cook, whether it's for my children or for guests. As for the 'salt duty' gift, for me it represents gratitude and joy, regardless of the type of gift. It doesn't have to be something important; even a kind word can suffice," says Batoul Ramzi, a housewife from Rabat.
Adding, "What matters most is a gesture or words that express appreciation towards women."
