Wednesday, June 29, 2011

TRADES & SERVICES #3 - FIBRE ARTS

WEAVING has a strong tradition in Morocco. The desert nomads [Berbers and Tourags] were incredible weavers, well - still are. The Moroccan carpets are legendary. It is very much a family affair with the skills and traditions being passed down through the generations. We were treated to a carpet feast [along with the mandatory sweet mint tea], and a few of our group spent up big on lovely carpets to be sent across the seas.
 
 
 
Eliza fell in love with a rag rug that had been made for purely practical purposes for the family. They wanted rather a lot of dirhams for this wabisabi rug, so it is still there. After a while, the tradition of intense haggling and bargaining became too exhausting for us to cope with - we couldn't even look at an item without being hassled and chased down the street with 'what's your best price?'
Carpets loaded up at a local village market...
Inside the Berber 'show' tent...
...gotta love the patches...
This is an interesting take on weaving...
We visited a workshop for women run by Franciscan nuns in the mountains near Midelt. They were creating fine cross stitch embroideries for export.


3 comments:

  1. le tapis en patchwork me plait aussi!
    j'aimerai mettre mes mains dans le lot de petits bouts de tissu..
    j'apprécie ton reportage!

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  2. What glorious rugs!! I reckon I'd've had to bring a tiny one home.

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  3. Dear Noela ... more super pix from exotic places ... love the rugs ... how ever did you resist splashing out on the Visa card ...
    xxxx Ken

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