Handicrafts

Handicrafts – A Berber Experience

An Introductory Programme including Visits and Workshops

Naturally Morocco prides itself in offering authentic experiences which provide an insight into Moroccan traditions. Our 4 or 7 day handicrafts programme provides a fascinating introduction to age-old Berber traditions as well as hands-on experiences tutored by skilled artisans. It also includes visits to local souks and villages to see and experience life in the local Berber Communities of the nearby Atlas Mountains. For any accompanying travellers not wishing to undertake the handicraft programme a wide range of other excursions and activities are available through the “Real Morocco” programme. 

Taroudant is renowned for the best preserved town walls in Morocco, for its skilled craftsmen using materials supplied by the trans-Saharan caravans and for enjoying the warmest winters of any town in Morocco. Here artisans produce exquisite handcrafted products using a vast array of natural materials exhibiting a huge range of lovely colours, shapes, designs and textures. In the souks you can marvel at the beauty of lanterns made of coloured glass and metal (including sardine tins!), goatskin lamps decorated with henna, brass and camel bone framed mirrors, painted furniture, silver jewellery, marquetry made with thuya (a scented local wood), handmade clothing with beautiful braids, traditional henna designs and much more.

This Moroccan Handicrafts holiday offers visitors an introduction to the historical, cultural and economic aspects of each craft, the source and nature of the materials used and a chance to observe and develop skills in the production of traditional goods including jewellery, leather sandals or bags, simple pottery, henna artistry or stone carving. Guests may choose to join our introductory course on Moroccan cookery and assist in producing evening meals.

Our recommendations

Season: The 7 day course will be run on the weeks starting 22nd January 2011, 7th May 2011, 19th November 2011 and 4th December 2011 and may be requested on other dates. The 4 day course is available for a minimum of 4 participants by arrangement.(Please contact us)

Group size: Minimum group size is normally 4. Groups are normally less than 8; tailor-made programmes can be designed for larger groups on request.

Length:  4 nights or 7 nights

Flights: Agadir from Stansted, Dublin, Gatwick and Manchester(50 minute transfer), Marrakech possible (3.5 hour transfer).

Prices from *£299 (4 nights/5 days) per person or *£419 (7 nights/8 days) excl flights

Pricing: *Based on per person (4 nights B&B, 3 evening meals) including return transfers to Agadir airport, 2 half day workshops, 2 excursions, staying at Naturally Morocco Guest House (budget accommodation offering very flexible rooming arrangements), free use of the pool at the Palais Salam hotel and 2 guided visits in Taroudant (one by horse-drawn carriage and one on foot). Additional activities may be added.

Excludes: Flights and workshop materials for some items in workshops where material costs are higher: jewellery - semi-precious stones and silver cost 15 dh per gram, (about £1.15); leather -about £3 extra for sandals, £6 for a handbag and for anyone wishing to decorate a goatskin lantern on the henna course, about £6.

The 7 Night Itinerary

Pricing: * Based on per person (7 nights B&B, 5 evening meals) including return transfers to Agadir airport, 4 half day workshops, 2 excursions, staying at Naturally Morocco Guest House (budget accommodation offering very flexible rooming arrangements), free use of the pool at the Palais Salam hotel and 2 guided visits in Taroudant (one by horse-drawn carriage and one on foot).Additional activities may be added.

Excludes flights and workshop materials for some items in workshops where material costs are higher: jewellery - semi-precious stones and silver cost 15 dh per gram, (about £1.15); leather -about £3 extra for sandals, £6 for a handbag and for anyone wishing to decorate a goatskin lantern on the henna course, about £6.

Extension options: 2-4 days Marrakech, Essaouira, High Atlas or Anti Atlas Mountains.

Accommodation in Taroudant

There is a choice of three accommodation options in Taroudant. Note those choosing to stay at Dar Zitoune should budget for the 3 km journey to and from town for workshops and occasional evening meals.

The Workshops

Each workshop will include an introduction to the historical, cultural and economic aspects of the craft delivered by our own knowledgeable English-speaking guides, as well as giving you confidence in developing the necessary skills in choosing materials and using tools, assisted by demonstrations from a skilled artisan. We ask you to select two workshops at the time of booking. After arrival, further sessions may be timetabled. All workshops last about 2-3 hours but may be extended, depending on the complexity of the article you are producing.

Jewellery Workshop

During the workshop your hostess, Dounia, will introduce you to the role of jewellery in the Berber culture and various types of pieces produced by local artisans in the souk. Guests normally start by producing a necklace and may then progress to a bracelet, a brooch or a pendant, for which skills of metal cutting and soldering are required. The workshop takes place both at the jeweller’s shop in the souk, where materials are chosen and selected, then at the artisan’s workshop in the medina.

Leatherwork Workshop

During the workshop your host, Nordine, will introduce you to the production of leather in the local tannery and the various articles produced by local artisans in the Souk. The artisan will demonstrate cutting of leather for a Moroccan slipper or a secure passport holder or purse and the subsequent sewing and glueing into the finished product. There is also the option of making a leather bag .The leather workshop takes place at the artisan’s workshop in the souk.

Henna Workshop

During the workshop your hostess, Dounia, and the henna artist will discuss the history and symbolism of henna designs, their importance in Berber culture including where and when they are applied, the preparation and benefits of the natural materials used (and those which must be avoided for safety’s sake), the tools used to create the tattoos and aftercare to give the longest lasting and darkest tattoos.  They will demonstrate how to make and apply the paste, working first with simple freehand designs then more complex ones (with the help of pattern books) and aftercare. You will then practise your skills, first on paper and then on the skin of a volunteer or a goatskin lampshade. The workshops last 2- 4 hours, normally split into 2 sessions in the day.

Stone Carving Workshop

During the workshop your host, Nordine, and the craftsman will discuss why the local stone is suitable for carving, the history of the craft in the area, the variety objects fashioned and the tools and techniques used.

Note: the craftsman normally works on top of the town walls, which offers lovely views but may feel a little exposed- there is some shade. The workshop lasts 4 -6 hours depending on the article you are producing.

Bamboo Workshop

During the workshop your host, Nordine, and the craftsman will discuss the reasons for the importance of bamboo craft in Taroudant, the variety of objects produced (including hammams, shelters for farm workers, lampshades and furniture) and tools and techniques used by the craftsman.

The workshop commences with a demonstration, then clients have a go at producing a lampshade. Larger items may be made, but it’s unlikely that you could carry them home. The workshop lasts 4 -6 hours depending on the article you are producing.

Note: the workshop is not suitable for children. It takes place on a site immediatelty outside the town walls where the bamboo is grown.