Cooperative Nahda · Souq El Hed
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
3m 54cm x 1m 90cm x 3cm — 11ft 7in x 6ft 3in x 1in
WEIGHT
17650 g
MATERIALS
Tadout - Wool, Cotton, and Natural wool
PRODUCT ID
#4639
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
Hafida Mehboub
Hafida Mehboub is known by the members of Association Nahda as a talented, hard working, and motivated weaver. Though she never attended school as a girl, her driven personality has landed her in math and literacy classes provided by a local association. She plans on investing the money she earns from Anou in her children.
Fatima Gourami
Fatima was born in Oued Ifrane and has lived in the village for most of her life. Despite the passing of her husband, she has survived and thrived because of her warm personality and incredibly positive outlook on life. Fatima is an integral member of Association Nahda because she is not only willing to try new things, but she is also willing to teach what she has learned to the other members.
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.
Rabha Houari
Rabha Houari was born in 1979 in Oued Ifrane and has managed to go to school until the sixth grade of primary school. She joined the association after her divorce in order to support herself and also to develop her skills together with the women at the association. She really wishes for her work to be recognised in the neighbouring souks for their quality.
Fatima Mahboub
Fatima Mahboub was born in 1970 in the outskirts of Oued Ifrane. She didn’t go to school. She married and had two sons and two daughters. She learned weaving from her mother and is among the women who have perfected the art of the Zamora and Zayane carpets. She really wishes to share her skills with other women in the association and teach them her specific techniques.
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
