Kebda

In Morocco, I have been welcomed into homes filled with love. The people inside have taught me not only about their own lives, but about my life as well. They have explained that nothing would be possible without their kebdas. Kebdas bring love, happiness, support, and purpose to life. In Moroccan Arabic, kebda literally means liver, but the word is also used to refer to your family. It is not possible to function if your liver is absent; similarly, many people in Morocco believe it would not be possible to function without their families.

            It is common to live near your family for the entirety of your life. In Morocco, home is not a building or a town; home is where your family is. This idea was foreign to me.  In the United States the majority of people move away from home at 18 years old, and many never look back. This custom has never seemed abnormal or wrong to me, because it is all I have ever known. Although now, being exposed to families with so much long-lasting love, I cannot imagine wanting to leave forever. A young girl, Fatima-Zahara, allowed me to visit her home. She explained to me, many people want to live near their parents because God has given them parents that make them feel lucky. Fatima-Zahara; who lives in a one-room home with her Mother and Grandmother; who has small amounts of food and water; who owns three pairs of clothes; feels lucky.  She is thankful to her mother for working, for cooking, for cleaning, for loving, and for trying. Seeing Fatima-Zahara be grateful for so little has made me even more grateful for so much. My kebda and ones I have been exposed to are so special because they are comprised of people you can depend on. Children know that their parents will work extremely hard to buy food and water, provide them with education, and keep a roof over their heads.  They put this effort in because they love their children and want the best for them. Children in Morocco are wise and understand their parents’ intentions. This understanding and love keeps the children close to their parents for decades when parents in Morocco become elderly, it is always their children who come to their aid.

            This tradition seems natural to me and I want to take part in it. My parents have already started to follow the tradition and have provided me with so much care. I have been given a wonderful home and have always been blessed with copious amounts of food and water. More importantly, my parents have shown me what love looks like. They have shown me I have importance and should not allow myself to be treated otherwise. They help me up when I fall and teach me how to stay on my feet. I am so thankful for each lesson I have learned and feel like it is right to do my part in the tradition. I will remember that as I age, they age too. Even if I get less dependent on them for basic needs, they may become more dependent on others as they get old. I want to be there for my parents just like Fatima-Zahara and countless other children in Morocco. Even though it is less common in the United States, I hope I can stay close to my kebda for many years.