Association Afous Gafous · Ouarzazate
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
2m 12cm x 1m 10cm x 2cm — 6ft 11in x 3ft 7in x 1in
WEIGHT
3800 g
MATERIALS
Naturally Dyed Wool, Natural Wool, Cotton String, Khrkum, Taroubiya, Pomegranate, Pine, and Alum
PRODUCT ID
#10941
One of two types that the association specializes in, Hanbels are easily the more popular item. The designs of each Hanbel incorporates a design that blends the personal taste of the association president with the colors and designs prevalent in the area surrounding Ouarzazate.
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MEET THE MAKERS
Fatima Ben Hssayene
Born and bred in the area, Fatima Ben Hssayene is married to a local farmer and has a son and three daughters. While her eldest daughter is working in a driving school, her younger children are still studying - her son being at university and her youngest daughters in high school. And altough Fatima only reached the 5th grade, she has learned her craft since early childhood from her mother, perpetuating a longstanding tradition that has been passed on from one generation to another. She had wished to pass it on to her daughters but they were reluctant to invest so much time and effort into learning her intricate craft because it is excessively hard to make a living from it. She is really happy to work at her local cooperative because it has been a constant source of creativity and improvement of her own work mainly thanks to the different exchanges with the other women. She really wishes that the association will prosper so that it can have a big working space with all the necessary equipment available for the women. On a more personal side, she would like to be able to find a religious mentor to help her better understand and follow the righteous path.
VISIT THE VILLAGE
Association Afous Gafous hosts visitors in their village — share tea, watch the artisans at work, and see the craft up close. Visits start at $21 per person, and most of it goes straight to the group.
Ouarzazate, Morocco · about 2 hours 48 mins from Marrakech
