Cooperative Nahda · Souq El Hed
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
1m 72cm x 1m 10cm x 3cm — 5ft 8in x 3ft 7in x 1in
WEIGHT
4900 g
MATERIALS
Tadout - Wool, Dyed Wool, and Cotton
PRODUCT ID
#11682
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.
COLORS IN THIS PIECE
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MEET THE MAKERS
Fatima Haddash
When Fatima Haddash was young, her family picked up from the southern village of Tinghir and moved to Oued Ifrane. Despite her distant roots, everyone in her village now affectionately knows her as ‘mama.’ Fatima knows how to make all the types of carpets that Association Nahda creates. With every carpet she sells, she hopes to use the money to invest it in the future of her eight children and many more grandchildren.
Naima Mehboub
Naima Mehboub was born just a few kilometers outside of Oued Ifrane. She is married to a day laborer who works in agriculture and construction. Naima and her husband currently have three boys and one girl. Many women in the village know her as a fun person and super easy going – characteristics of a great weaving partner. Naima is currently studying basic math, reading and writing at classes provided by a local association.
Fadma Mehboub
Fadma Mahboub was born in 1972 in the outskirts of Oued Ifrane. Her family moved into the village to make it easier for her brothers to go to school although she didn’t get the same opportunity since she never enrolled. However, she got to learn to weave and has become a renowned Hanbal and Zamora carpet weaver. She has recently joined the association in order to help the women perfect their Hanbal technique and find a space where she can meet like minded women.
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.
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
