Cooperative Nahda · Souq El Hed
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
SIZE
2m 48cm x 1m 67cm x 3cm — 8ft 2in x 5ft 6in x 1in
WEIGHT
8700 g
MATERIALS
Dyed Wool and Cotton
PRODUCT ID
#27487
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 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.
El Kibera Tahiri
El Kibera Tahiri was born in Oued Ifrane and runs a small store that sells clothing to local villagers. El Kibera joined the association in 2012 and specializes in all the products that the association makes. She hopes that through her sales on Anou, she’ll earn enough money to organize a Moroccan craft fair in New York. In the future, she wants to become fluent in both French and English.
Sadia Bakhalk
Sadia is a native of Oued Ifrane and has lived in the village her entire life. She is married to a butcher and has two young boys. She has been involved with the association since 2011 and knows how to make each type of carpet the association produces. With the money she earns for her sales, she wants to invest it in her family and perhaps build a house for her family.
Fatima Hafsi
Fatima Hafsi was born in 1969 in Oued Ifrane. She is married and has two daughters. She has recently joined the association but has known weaving for a long time, learning it from her mother. She attended school until the third grade in primary school only. From her experience, she wishes to teach the young girls who are dropping out of school nowadays how to weave in order to give them purpose but also to pursue the transmission of her craft and make sure it doesn’t disappear.
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
