The Dazzling Moroccan Art
Morocco has a long, rich history that today lives on in traditional arts and crafts. To cite, so many cultures have left their mark on the area: Arab, Jewish, Andalusian, and French have influenced the Berber culture. If you travel to Morocco, Fez and Marrakech are must-see cities and home to many artisans who make popular Moroccan art.
Tours like Intrepid Groupβs North Moroccan Adventure Tour make sure you get a good taste of their historic medinas, which are the older, walled, and maze-like parts of town. Within these walls, merchants sell all kinds of goods and craftsmen sell their products. Seeing them being made is as unique a Moroccan art as you can get.
The technique generally adheres to guild traditions where masters pass their trade down to apprentices, even father to son through many generations. Today the survival of crafts depends on tourists and foreign support. Β Oftentimes, tour groups may have deals with certain shops they take their customers to. In the end, you can rest assured knowing that you get authentic Moroccan art souvenirs.
The Best Of Moroccan Art
Ceramics
One of the most impressive examples of mosaic tilework exists in Casablanca, in the Hassan II Mosque. Other ceramics famously made in Fez utilize the local fine red clay. They are still hand-painted and assembled by skilled craftsmen. Workshops are open to visitors who wish to watch and see the ceramic making process.
Leather
The tradition of Moroccan leather-making is well established. Β It was even featured in an episode of the Amazing Race during season 25. Vessels are filled with mixtures that make the hair and other excess parts of the hide easy to remove. Then they are soaked in another mixture containing pigeon poop that prepares the hide for dyeing.
All the work is done by men who knead the hides with their feet to soften the leather. The hides can be dyed a variety of colors, and still resist synthetic materials by sticking to natural dyes.
Metalwork
Rugs
The Berber tradition of rugs is over 2,000 years old. Each Berber rug is unique, and traditionally hand-made by women. Traditionally, rugs represent a story that is never finished. This is expressed through the tendency to have fringe only on one edge.
The opposite side wonβt have a fringe because it represents the continuation of time. Just like with leather, the dyeing materials are usually natural and remain so to this day. Rugs are very popular as collectorβs items for tourists.
The Moroccans are famous for a number of other goods as well, including textiles and jewelry. Additionally, each city may specialize in its own craft or version of a craft that makes it unique.
Thereβs no way to leave Morocco without some genuinely special souvenirs representing Moroccan art. Visit Morocco now!
Need help planning your next trip? The Trip Atelier takes the stress out of vacation planning. Schedule a consultation and start crafting a memorable vacation today.
