Imagine walking down a narrow passageway
that is crowded. People are hurrying past;
you hear chatter and laughter. Sometimes,
you come upon those having a deep, serious
conversation. Before your eyes, you cross
bright colors of fabrics or baskets of
fruits and the wonderful aromas of spices.
Buyers are bartering, sellers maintaining
their prices. All of this and more
infiltrate the senses in Morocco’s souks.
Larger cities have medinas and souks are
central marketplaces, usually in the center
of the medina. Larger souks, such as those
in the
Fez medina,
house shops of textiles, spices,
furniture, rugs, and jewelry. Moroccan
artists and artisans ply their wares
and talents daily. Morocco, which has
been known for centuries for its
craftsmen, sell leather goods and
carpets, shoes, and even spices of the
highest quality.
Moroccan women have been making rugs and
carpets for millennia. Moroccan rugs are
available now only to those who are willing
to pay the price. Making of one rug can a
month or more than a year to complete.
Moroccan rugs are famous for quality, both
in workmanship and colors. Prices often
depend on whether the rug is woven or
knotted. Knotted rugs take much longer to
complete and are much more expensive.
Berber carpets are probably the most
famous. Carpets from those living in the
High
Atlas Mountains people are known
for rich warm colors. Carpets made by
the people south of Meknes have more
detailed weavings.
Objects made of leather are another famous
Moroccan craft item. Leather working in
Morocco had been going on as long as carpet
weaving. Different areas of Morocco are
skilled at making different items. In the
Rif Mountains, craftsmen make satchels,
shoulder bags, belts and leather-covered
earthenware.
Marrakech
artists are known for leather clothing
and camel saddles. Other things such
as banana-yellow babouches (slippers)
and ottomans are also quite popular
and available in most medinas.
Painted boxes and bowls are but a couple of
the examples of woodwork that is available
in such areas such as
Essaouira.
Different areas are known for
different things made of wood. Around
Essaouira, items are made from burls
of the aromatic thuya tree. Beautiful
bowls and boxes as well as furniture
are carved from this wood. Painted
boxes and carved wooden latticework
are found in the Fez area. Marrakech
has larger things such as painted or
sculptured panels, chests that have
inlaid designs or elaborate doors.
Jewelry making is another well known
Moroccan handicraft. Earlier in Moroccan
history, the Jewish people were the jewelry
makers. They passed the craft down through
the ages. Today, there are many skilled
artists that work with gold and silver.
Like woodworking, different kinds of
jewelry are made in different areas of
Morocco.
Marrakesh was
the major stop in Morocco for caravan
routes completing the trans-Saharan
Journey. Jewelry in Marrakech has the
influence found in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tangier and Fez have jewelry that
shows the Andalusia designs, while
enamelware is most popular in
Essaouira. In the rural areas, silver
is most valued. The Berber peoples in
the mountains work their jewelry from
this precious metal. Here silver is
made into necklaces, bracelets,
anklets and forehead diadems. Berbers,
also make daggers inlaid with precious
stones, trays and tea services along
with silver boxes and pots.
Moroccans make basket ware from palm trees.
Colorful hats, trays, and straw boxes are
made in very village in the country.
Ceramics are another famous craft item.
Clay jars; vases, plates and cooking dishes
called tagines have been made for centuries
in Morocco. Each area of the country is
known for a certain type of ceramic or
color. Zagoran pottery has a greenish
finish, probably influenced by the green of
the oasis. Sale has colored glazing on its
decorative pottery. Fez has the most famous
pottery that uses many colors with silver
inlay. Berber craftsman near Marrakech make
ochre-colored ware. Ceramic tiles are the
origin of the Moroccan mosaics which are
famous. Many cooperatives have been formed
to make these ceramic tiles. The
cooperatives in Fez are the most well
known. Elaborate patterns are created by
these groups.
These aforementioned wares are only but a
few that can be found in Morocco. Craftsmen
work in gold, with stones, and use copper
and iron. Embroidered textiles are another
type of handicraft famous in Morocco, along
with hand woven textiles. A visit to a
medina or souk would show many things made
in Morocco.