Society and Culture

Craft Industry	Sport
Beauty Spots and Monuments	Festivals
Art	Gastronomy

Craft Industry

Cabinetmaking

Meknes and Tetouan are two Moroccan cities known for their traditional know-how regarding cabinetmaking. Their proximity to the Atlas and Rif, where raw material (wood) is abundant, gives them the historical primacy of woodworking before it propagated into other places particularly the south. Many works of art are produced including:  cases, chairs, tables, cupboards, desks, ashtrays, shelves, carved, painted, colored etc...

Carpets of Rabat

Originally woven in cities, the carpets of Rabat are not as old as those which come from the Berber regions. Great doubt shrouds their origins. And when historic truth is disputed, legend is a quick substitute. Thus it is reported that a stork flew from the Orient and left all several carpet fragments and these were quickly reproduced by the women of the city. In fact, two theses exist. On one band, the "r'bati" carpets are reputed to trace their origins to distant Asia Minor. On the other, it is said that the Muslims of Andalusia ho settled on the banks of the Bou Regreg River after the Reconquest brought with them the designs and skills of producing them. Over the centuries, however, the carpets have evolved the aesthetic criteria of the country with definite oriental inspiration.

 The oldest examples come from the 18th century, and these are the only Moroccan carpets where the pattern is diametrically different to those of the Berber carpets.

The carpets of Taznakht

Being the oldest carpets manufactured in Morocco, the carpets of Taznakht, Zayane and hanbal, all of which made in the same region, are a source of pride for the country’s handicraft both at home and abroad.
Originally woven in the High Atlas, the carpet of Taznakht is made of knots on two lines; their bottom is yellow with dense geometrical drawings which are red, dark green or broken white.

Hanbel is a woven rug, lighter and less thicker than the typical carpet. It is used as cover, sofa or decoration during national or private feasts. Sometimes, it is used instead of carpets. It is produced in Zayane, Zemmour and Ouazguita.

Either genuine wool or good quality cotton is used to make this type of carpet. Threads are well spinned and clean. The coulour of this carpet is red, yellow, green, black and brown. These colors are extracted from the plants existing in the Hanbel region.

Originally made in Berber regions, the hanbal contains patterns whose forms and features are inspired by nature and whose contours are inspired by the amazigh letters.

Pottery

Moroccan art pottery is characterized by a long ancestral practice. The regions which have always been considered as the principal centers of art pottery are: the northern regions of Jbala and Rif (red rural pottery), the cities of Fez and Meknes (refined pottery) and finally it is Safi, the current capital of pottery which have taken up the torch after transforming and enriching it (colors, forms, patterns etc... ".

Leather working

Because it is a typically Moroccan art and knowledge universally recognized as such that this activity, as its name indicates, identifies with its native country which is Morocco.

Tannery, dressing, colouring and shaping are mastered by Moroccan craftsmen who have learnt them since immemorial times. The proof is the fact that Moroccan leather working is notorious everywhere in the world.  Various products are produced including: chekkaras, Turkish slippers, skins, belts, shoes, wind-breakers, trousers, jackets, bags, towels, document-cases, wallets.

Brassware

The different types of copper (yellow, red etc...) is the speciality of Marrakshis  and Fassis people who create unique forms out of this metal so that it can be used, at the same time, as invaluable utensils and objects for decoration and ornamentation inside houses and public places (plates, brzéros and teapots, guedra, candlesticks, weapons and other accessories).

Embroidery

Hand embroidery art reflects the refinement of the dress and Moroccan household linen. The quality of silk dresses (caftans, Djellabas, scarves, trousers) in addition to cushions, cloths, tablecloths and mats brought out inside houses (table service, wall decoration) is the specific work of craftsmen (girls) from Fez, Meknes, Sale and Rabat.

Jewellery

Working noble metals (goldsmithery, chiselling, setting) is the exclusive speciality of the Fassis (people of Fez) and soussis (people of The Souss region) craftsmen concerning the design and production of refined top-quality objects (bracelets, belts, diadems, rings, pendants, Kholkhals, earrings etc...).

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