Meet the Artisan | Fatima
"In 1996, at the age of 16, I was taught the skill of weaving. After persistent requests, my mom finally decided it was time to teach me. As the eldest of four siblings—I later assisted my sister Meriem in learning to weave when she became a teenager. Observing my mom leading the association in our village during my upbringing, I now find pride in running the association alongside my sister, showcasing our collective abilities."
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Meet the Artisan | Rokia
"My mom not only imparted the skill of weaving but also taught me the intricacies of dyeing wool, preparing it, and setting up the loom. The cherished memories of those moments when we wove together during my childhood remain close to my heart."
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Meet the Artisan | Jamilla
"At the age of 10, I had the privilege of learning the art of weaving from my brother's wife, Rokia. In our family tradition, women pass down their weaving skills to younger generations. Rokia not only taught me how to weave but also introduced me to the fascinating world of dyeing wool using natural plants and spices found in our village."
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Meet the Artisan | Khatima
"I began my weaving journey at the young age of 9, under the guidance of my sister, Malika. The loom I was taught on was always set-up near our entrance, symbolizing not just protection, but a gateway into our home. Growing up, I wove countless rugs with my family, a shared experience that continued even after I embarked on my own journey with my marriage."
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Meet the Artisan | Khadija
"When I was 13 years old, my mom started teaching my sister and me how to weave. While my mom and aunts spent most of the day weaving, I would join them for a couple of hours. At the age of 20, I married my husband Mohammed and moved an hour away to Tazenakht, where he was born and raised. I continued weaving with my mother-in-law, Mbarka, who guided me in mastering various techniques."
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Meet the Artisan | Rokia
"I did not attend school when I was growing up, learning how to weave was my form of education. After learning how to prepare the wool I started to learn the various weaving techniques. I started with Hand-Knot as that’s the easiest and then worked my way through the styles until I mastered all the varying rug types. By the time I was a teenager I was making rugs on my own and even helping my younger sister and cousins learn how to weave."
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Meet the Artisan | Zahara
"My Grandma was an expert dyer and would spend hours with me teaching all the different combinations of plants and herbs from the local area to achieve a wide array of colors. Still to this day I love to naturally dye wool, it allows me to still feel close to my Grandma."
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Meet the Artisan | Ketlouma
"After marrying my husband, Lamari, I moved to his Village of Beni M’rirt. I worked for a handful of the big shops that had workshops in the surrounding area. I decided to open up my own Association after my first two older children were born. I was unhappy with the working conditions and wanted to create a safer area for women to work."
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Meet the Artisan | Meriem
“A year after learning how to weave, my Mom set-up a small loom and allowed me to make a small pillow all by myself. Looking back I remember not wanting anyone else to help me with the pillow, I was so excited to do it all alone and having full authority over how it came out. I still have this pillow today and whenever I see it I get reminded of my childhood.”
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Meet the Artisan | Saida
"My Mom was strict about what I could and could not do when it came to weaving. She would only allow me to learn how to prepare wool; brushing, carding, and spinning. She wanted me to focus on my education and felt that if I learned how to weave, it would distract from my studies."
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