2024-03-16 12:05:28
Fatima-Ezzahra Khalili, provincial director of crafts in the provinces of El Jadida and Sidi Bennour, indicates that the town of Azemmour, known for the beauty and finesse of its embroidery and traditional fabrics, has no less than 30 traditional art weavers including seven gathered within a cooperative.
She continues by emphasizing that the weavers who are determined to perpetuate this very ancient profession have, for the most part, benefited from continuing training which is part of the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism, Crafts and Industry. social and solidarity economy, which strategy seeks to promote this artisanal sector by awarding it the “Collective certification mark” label.
For his part, Zakaria Mikou, president of the traditional weaving cooperative Arts Mikou, based at the artisan’s house in Azemmour, told MAP that the creation in 2018 of this cooperative made it possible to rehabilitate traditional weaving in bringing together seven weavers who make traditional costumes as well as beautifully embroidered blankets.
He adds that the members of the cooperative periodically benefit from ongoing and targeted training, revealing that the products are most often made at the request of companies and wholesale traders, and sometimes on an order from individuals looking for a handmade Dejllaba or an embroidered blanket.
He also makes it known that the wool, of good quality, is almost entirely imported, notably from Australia, France and Spain, noting however that certain customers, preferring local wool to make their Djellaba, use the services of spinners who use a wooden spindle to spin wool by pinching the fibers between their fingers. Patient and meticulous work done by hand from start to finish.
Concerning the artisanal products manufactured by this cooperative, Mr. Mikou cites, among others, collar warmers, shawls and scarves, bedspreads, Djellabas, curtains and even handbags and other kits intended for schoolchildren.
A varied offer and demand as strong as ever. This proves that traditional weaving still has a bright future ahead of it, as assured by Mohamed Ben Baka, a traditional art weaver for 50 years already, and who affirms that he was able, thanks to this profession which has been passed down from father to father. son, raising a family of six children.
And as all the artisans of Morocco and the world say: If craftsmanship does not always allow those who practice it to become rich, it certainly allows them to be sheltered from want.
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#tradition #passed #father #son
