Cooperative Nahda · Souq El Hed
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
1m 27cm x 1m 2cm x 2cm — 4ft 2in x 3ft 4in x 1in
WEIGHT
3400 g
MATERIALS
Cotton and Heid Lakubah
PRODUCT ID
#11230
Despite its modern chic appeal, the Boucharef carpet is woven into traditional Atlas Mountain culture. When poorer families were low in supplies during a cold winter, they washed and tore up old clothing to furnish their homes. Fortunately today, the carpet carries on in tradition rather than in necessity.
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MEET THE MAKERS
Mustapha Chaouai
As one of the founding members of Association Nahda, Mustapha is the glue that holds together association. He can frequently be found gathering all the members of the association for meetings or other events in the community. Though he is an expert metal worker by trade, he is heavily committed to organizing the women in his village in order to empower them to become financially independent. Mustapha is also one of the founding members of Morocco's national association of artisans and has traveled extensively to craft fairs across the country. Mustapha is married to Hanan, an association member, and has one son and one daughter.
Fatima Mahboub
Fatima Mahboub was born in 1963 in the Ait Aziz village and currently lives near Ifrane river. She is married and the mother of three sons and a daughter. She has never been to school but learned weaving from her mother since childhood as well as western dressmaking. She has never showcased her work in fairs but has joined Association Nahda recently to gain more exposure to the artisan and craft world.
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