Morocco is a wonderfully diverse country, which is packed full of incredible colours and landscapes everywhere you turn – and this is shown in the artwork and handicrafts available. The country is well known for its artisan handicrafts, and you only have to wonder through one of the many Medina’s to see wonderful examples of baskets, carpets, local leatherwork and much more.
If you would like to discover more about Moroccan Handicrafts, you can book one of our Morocco private tours where we take you to meet the very best artisans in the country, helping you to buy the best pieces from source.
Moroccan textiles and handicrafts are becoming more and more popular, although they have been an influence on major fashion houses for many years already. They seem to have gained increased popularity recently, through the pages of glossy interior magazines and by featuring on Instagram influencers pages.
Undertaking your own luxury morocco tours is a great way to get your hands on your own Moroccan handicrafts – maybe something for your home such as some embroidered bedlinen, or something to add to your wardrobe – such as a beautiful kaftan.
The choice of handicrafts can be overwhelming, so let’s take a closer look at some of the things you can expect to find in Morocco:
Moroccan Lanterns
Moroccan lanterns are one of the most popular Moroccan handicrafts as they look incredible in the dark, and are really great examples of the stunning craftsmanship of the country. Marrakech has some of the best lantern makers in the whole of the country, but you can pretty much find lanterns anywhere in Morocco.
Be open and honest about the sort of lantern you are looking to buy, as if shop assistants don’t have what you want in stock, they are likely to help you track down lanterns in different shapes, sizes, and colours. Even if they do not have what you want, they will certainly be able to point you in the direction of someone who does.
Moroccan Pottery
As with most countries, Moroccan Pottery is different throughout the country, but some areas have gone above and beyond in their production of it. One of the best places to find it, for example, is Safi as they have several markets dedicated to pottery.
Safi has a wide range of shops selling a wide range of pottery styles – where you can shop in a relaxed atmosphere. The pottery tends to be made on site, so you will usually be dealing with the actual person who made the piece you are buying.
Tamegroute is another good place to go for pottery as they specialise in unique green glazed pottery.
Moroccan Rugs
The best places to get Moroccan carpets and rugs from are widely believed to be Fes and Marrakech – although you will need a guide to help you purchase these. Your guide will be able to give you more information on the origins of any motifs and symbols that are used in the design of the rug. They will also help you to choose between different colours, patterns and sizes of rug as well.
If you are after something more bespoke, then you may want to look at smaller towns as they tend to have carpet and weaving cooperatives that are more than happy to show you, their wares. With them being a smaller retailer as well, they are usually more than happy to weave you something custom if you so desire.
Moroccan Slippers
Moroccan slippers are usually referred to as ‘Babouches’ and they are handmade locally using leather from local sources. Babouches tend to be found throughout Morocco, although it is believed that the best examples are found in Fes.
Fes is famous for its tanneries, producing some of the world’s finest leather, and so it is Fes you can watch some of the master artisans at work, sewing their incredibly crafted shoes for one of the many stores that line the Medina.
Tafraout, which is further south than Fes, is also known for its footwear – which tend to be more colourful and more brightly patterned than those found in Fes.
Moroccan Wood Carvings
Wood carvers can be found throughout Morocco, but are highly concentrated around Essaouira. This is because they use Thuja wood, which is a special wood found only on the Southern coast of the country.
Thuja wood is used by Moroccan’s to make a wide variety of wooden items, such as small boxes, toy boxes, chess boards and even decorative plates. The Moroccan people have certainly mastered the art of turning something mundane, like a piece of wood, into something beautiful.
Wood carvings can be hard to resist, with many people who visit Morocco leaving with at least one example to remind them of the relaxing and brilliant atmosphere of this beautiful country.
Moroccan handicrafts make great souvenirs of your holiday that you will enjoy as a reminder of your restful time for many years to come, and as you can see there is no shortage of choice available in any of Morocco’s old cities.
However, these Medina’s tend to source their wares through middle men. So, if you are interested in supporting artisans to continue with their craft and pass them down through the generations, it is best to go to source – which is why we offer our Moroccan Handicraft Shopping Tours.
The ability to access markets outside the local middlemen is an essential way to honour the traditions of the country. Souk salesmen may be able to offer better prices as the items tend to be mass-produced, but you can’t beat buying something straight from the source and hearing the pride and expertise of people who have spent their lives perfecting their craft.
If you are interested in any of our Morocco tours, including our Moroccan handicraft tour or yoga retreat, please contact us on 07555 233122 or email us at info@hasinamoroccotours.com
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