Association Zaouia · Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
69cm x 67cm x 2cm — 2ft 3in x 2ft 2in x 1in
WEIGHT
900 g
MATERIALS
Cotton Thread
PRODUCT ID
#26752
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
Fatima Mamouh
Born in Tihnda village(2 hours away from Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef), Fatima moved when she got married. They have a small amount of land they use to farm. However, her husband mostly works in other people’s fields in order to make a living. They had three kids, although one died recently at the young age of 17 years old. Her daughter is 7 years old and her son goes to high school in a small nearby city called Tounfite. Due to her poor health, she never worked before joining the association last year in 2019. She sells rugs that her mother taught her how to make. Currently, Fatima lives with her family and parents-in-law. She wishes to help her husband and father-in-law with the home’s expenses. When her financial situation improves,she wants to fix their house’s roof and get better furniture. Additionally, she wants to go on pilgrimage to Mecca. When asked about the future, Fatima hopes both her kids become teachers and that she can travel somewhere new, but where the culture is still similar.
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
