21 Stunning Color Photographs That Capture Daily Life in Morocco in the 1970s

Harry Gruyaert (born 1941) is a Belgian photographer known for his use of color in photography. Gruyaert studied at the School for Photo and Cinema in Brussels from 1959 to 1962. He then began freelance fashion and advertising work in Paris, while working as a director of photography for Flemish television.

In 1969 Gruyaert made the first of many trips to Morocco. His total immersion in its colors and landscapes won him the Kodak Prize in 1976 and culminated in the publication of the book Morocco in 1990.

The pictures of Morocco taken by Harry Gruyaert are highly mysterious and time seems to be suspended. However, a strong energy is created by the vibrant colors and the positions captured in action just at the right moment.

Town of Tan Tan. 1976.

South. Near the town of Erfout. Shadows of palmtrees on the ramparts of a village. 1976.

South. Erfout. In the medina (old district of the city). 1976.

Marrakech. Young Berber girls hiding and giggling. 1975.

Marrakech. In the medina (old district). 1977.

High-Atlas. Imilchil. Moussem. Women and men of the Ait Addidou tribe. 1976.

Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen. Street life. Walls are often painted in blue and white. 1975.

Asilah. In the Casbah (old district of the city). 1976.

Rif Mountains. Asilah. Street life. Walls are often painted in blue and white. 1975.

Moulay Odriss. Pilgrims camping in sites around the city during the Moussem, traditional feast of the month of September. Apart from wild horses races and folk dancing, it is an occasion for people to invoke supernatural powers to make temporal life more endurable. 1977.

Essaouira region. Moulay Idriss. Moussem. 1977.

Essaouira region. Moulay Idriss. Pilgrims with banners making their way to the Mosque during the Moussem, traditional feast of the month of September. Apart from wild horses races and folk dancing, it is an occasion for people to invoke supernatural powers to make temporal life more endurable. 1977.

Marrakech. In the medina (old district). A bread vendor. 1975.

Essaouira. Ramparts & fortified walls of the city.1975.

South. Near the town of Tan Tan. Nomads camp. 1976.

South. Erfout. 1975.

Region of the High Atlas. Msemir region. 1976.

Essaouira. Ramparts & fortified walls of the city. 1976.

Essaouira. Ramparts & fortified walls of the city. 1976.

High Atlas. Imilchil. Women & men of the Ait Addidou tribe. 1976.

Fes. 1979.

(Images © Harry Gruyaert/Magnum Photos)