Beni Ourain Rug

Halima Aissaoui

Halima Aissaoui from Moulide was born in 1976 and later relocated to Khenifra. Halima is a widow and has three children. Halima completed the third grade and then went on to learn the art of weaving from her mother and through vocational training. Halima joined the cooperative in order to make money to manage the expenses of her home and her children.

Fatima Ousbigh

Fatima was born in 1956, she is a widow with six children, four boys and two girls. Fatima learned the art of weaving at home from her mother. After she married she learned how to make a special type of hanbel known as the “hasera.” The hasera is made using dried palm leaves that are woven with wool into a truly unique rug, this is very difficult work. She decided to join the cooperative because her children are older and she wants the work. Fatima hopes to share a piece of her culture with the world.

Zhour Ousbigh

Zhour was born in 1965, she is married and has four children. Zhour did not study as a child but attended literacy classes at the mosque as an adult. She learned to weave at home from her mother. As a member of the cooperative she hopes to use her earnings to buy a house.

Mlouda Amrous

Mlouda is 52 years old, she is married and the mother for four children. Mlouda did not attend school but learned the craft of weaving from her mother and grandmother which gave birth to a love of weaving. The craft disappeared for a number of years and was not a viable way to make a living. With the start of her family’s cooperative she has the opportunity to work, create and share this traditional industry both nationally and internationally.