Cooperative Nahda · Souq El Hed
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
3m x 2m 54cm x 3cm — 9ft 10in x 8ft 4in x 1in
WEIGHT
19800 g
MATERIALS
Tadout - Wool, Dyed Wool, and Cotton
PRODUCT ID
#11083
Beni Ourain style rugs are pile knot rugs intricately designed and are used as two sided rugs in Oued Ifrane. There is the summer side, when the pile side is placed face down on the ground to keep things cooler. During the winter, the pile side is placed up to keep things warmer. You can find these carpets with natural wool from the local sheep or cotton yarn bought from the village market. Depending on the size of the rug, it can take weeks to create. Each knot needs to be individually tied and cut, so one person is only able to create a meter in two weeks.
See something off — or want to help the artisans improve? Rate this piece in Rate-o-Rama →
MEET THE MAKERS
Sadia Bakhalk
Sadia is a native of Oued Ifrane and has lived in the village her entire life. She is married to a butcher and has two young boys. She has been involved with the association since 2011 and knows how to make each type of carpet the association produces. With the money she earns for her sales, she wants to invest it in her family and perhaps build a house for her family.
Fatima Hajou
Fatima Hajou was born in Errachidia and moved to Oued Ifrane when her parents moved to the village for work. She never formally attended school but is a regular at a local association’s math and literacy classes. She has been involved with the association since 2011 and specializes in the btaniya and tazrbit carpets. Fatima is married and has two children, whom she hopes she’ll be able to support with the income she makes from her sales.
aicha mhdaoui
Aicha Mehdoui was born in Oued Ifrane and specializes in all the products that the association produces. She hopes to use her income with the sales to build a new house in the village.
VISIT THE VILLAGE
Cooperative Nahda hosts visitors in their village — share tea, watch the artisans at work, and see the craft up close. Visits start at $14 per person, and most of it goes straight to the group.
Souq El Hed, Morocco · about 2 heures 17 minutes from Fez
