Association Zaouia · Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
2m 16cm x 1m 23cm x 1cm — 7ft 1in x 4ft x 1in
WEIGHT
5450 g
MATERIALS
Cotton Thread and Wool
PRODUCT ID
#20578
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.
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MEET THE MAKERS
Fathma Zerda
Fathma was born in Ait Heddab and moved to Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef after marrying her husband. They have eight kids: four daughters, three of which are married and one who is pursuing her studies. And four sons, three of which travel around doing small jobs and one who is pursuing quranic studies in the city of Agadir. She joined the weaverβs association, like most women, to help her family earn a better income in 2012. Fathma learned to weave when she was ten from her mother. She makes beni-ourain, handira and hanbel rugs. When she is not making rugs, she spends her time teaching other women how to weave. Her goal is to support her family members financially.
VISIT THE VILLAGE
Association Zaouia hosts visitors in their village — share tea, watch the artisans at work, and see the craft up close. Visits start at $17 per person, and most of it goes straight to the group.
Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef, Morocco · about 4 hours from Fez
