Moroccan Artisans and Handicrafts Take Centre Stage in Abu Dhabi
Moroccan craftsmen brought their traditional handicrafts to the UAE capital as part of the “Morocco in Abu Dhabi” exhibition, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and running until March 19, 2018.
The exhibition served as a showcase for the Kingdom of Morocco’s cultural and artisanal heritage, highlighting how traditional Moroccan crafts remain a living part of the country’s identity after centuries of creativity shaped by successive civilisations.
On display were pieces reflecting generations of accumulated skill, with many techniques passed down within families from one generation to the next — each generation adding its own touch of design and creativity.
What Was on Display
The exhibition covered a broad range of Moroccan craft traditions, including:
- Wood, copper and silver engraving
- Textile weaving and wool production
- Traditional carpets
- Embroidery
- Ceramic art, including zellige tilework
- Jewellery design
Wood, Copper and Silver Engraving
Wood engraving is among Morocco’s most distinctive crafts. Artisans transform plain wooden panels into intricately decorated doors, window frames, boxes and ceilings through a multi-stage process of dyeing, carving and assembly.
Copper and silver engraving holds similar cultural importance, appearing in home décor, bridal accessories, kitchenware and gifts. The old cities of Fes, Meknes, Rabat, Marrakech and Salé are among Morocco’s principal hubs for producing and exporting copper and silver items.
Textiles and Wool
Textile-making is one of Morocco’s oldest crafts, historically practised by Amazigh communities and central to traditional Moroccan home furnishings. The shape, colour and pattern of Moroccan textile products vary by region, and dedicated artisan markets across the country display these local variations.
Wool remains one of Morocco’s key craft materials. After shearing, wool is cleaned, washed and combed before being spun into thread — a simple process that nonetheless produces highly regarded finished products in the hands of skilled Moroccan weavers.
Carpets
Moroccan carpets are woven from wool and silk and coloured using natural dyes such as henna, saffron and pomegranate peel. The “zerbia” is a particularly significant carpet form in Moroccan households, alongside other traditional styles such as Amazigh rugs and urban carpets featuring geometric patterns.
Embroidery
Embroidery is applied both to clothing and home furnishings and demands considerable patience and precision. Different Moroccan cities have developed their own embroidery traditions: flat-stitch work is associated with Rabat, while cross-stitch techniques are more common in Fes, Meknes and Salé. Moroccan embroiderers have also adapted their craft to modern fabrics, clothing and bridal wear.
Ceramics
Moroccan ceramic artisans work with simple raw materials such as clay, using cutting, embossing and precise positioning to create tilework known as zellige. Once assembled, these tiles are used to decorate floors, walls, roofs and pavements in intricate geometric compositions.
Jewellery
Moroccan jewellery design generally falls into two categories: “urban” pieces made with gold and precious stones, and rural silver ornaments. Beyond their aesthetic value, these pieces often carry social and symbolic significance. Men’s jewellery traditionally includes rings, prayer beads and ceremonial items such as daggers and swords, some worn daily and others reserved for special occasions.
This article draws on reporting originally published by Gulf News in March 2018.
