"A Poem on Balgha" by Connor Baldwin

Balgha are a traditional Moroccan shoe that is worn around the country by both men and women. Made out of leather they are comfortable heel-less shoes that can be worn practically anywhere. Whether you are walking around the house or going to the parliament, there is no place a balgha can’t go. The shoes come in a variety of colors but are traditionally yellow for the men while the women will wear a pair that has a fancy design etched onto the front of the shoe.

Throughout my time in Morocco, I have come to love the pair of balgha that I have bought and wear them quite frequently. So, I have written a small poem about them:

Balgha, Balgha

On my feet

I wear you

Around the street

I even take you

To the beach

Balgha, balgha

Comes in brown, black and yellow

Looking good on a fellow

Balgha, balgha

With a fancy design

Oh how I wish

That you were mine

Balgha Balgha

In a city called

Ait-Baha

The vendor said

Bssa ou raha*

Balgha, Balgha

Made out of leather

Worn in all weather

Balgha, Balgha

My time in Morocco

Starts to feel like home

Once I wore the balghas shown

*Arabic saying for "to your health and relaxation"

Connor Baldwin is a student at Marquette University and is studying abroad on the Amideast Area and Arabic Studies Program in Rabat, Morocco this spring 2023.