Beni-Ourain

Hanou Abbou

Hanou was born in Ait Amar Aghdou. When she got married, she moved to Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef with her husband. Now a widow, she has seven children, four of which are married. Hanou earns her income from different small jobs, and allowance from her kids. Despite joining the association when it opened in 2011, she still struggles to make a living due to the low percentage of sales. She learned how to weave, like most women, from her mom. She specializes in making everyday rugs, and traditional Handira rugs. She hopes one day, her craft will allow her to make a decent living to afford electricity and furniture for her home.

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 weaver’s 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.