1For centuries, Morocco has been known for the art of making zellij. It is a skill passed on from father to son in Morocco. Making zellij needs a lot of training and hard work. It also requires expertise in math and geometry. Today, more and more young people are interested in learning this craft. They consider it as a significant part of their cultural heritage. However, these young learners do not find it an easy skill to learn. Making zellij requires a lot of patience and precision. It also takes much time and practice to master this art. Still, “learning it allows you to appreciate and contribute to this traditional art form,” said Thaifa, director of Mosaics and Potteries of Fes.
2Driss Zourgane, 36, has been making zellij since he was 7. He cuts pieces of colored zellij with his hands into very small shapes and sizes. Another worker takes those shapes and puts them together with cement to create beautiful zellij, or mosaic. Driss spent five years learning the craft. Now, he produces about 400 pieces during a workday of 10 hours. He makes 200 dirhams a day. For Driss, this is a steady income for a family of six that includes his parents and siblings. Zourgane and his friend, Abdelwahd Hafid, said their income is modest, but they are proud to make enough money to support their families.
3Almost 3 million people work in Morocco’s artisan industries. A 2016 official report shows a slow decrease in the number of jobs in the artisan sector since 2007 because children now stay longer at school to finish their studies. That is one reason why the number of modern zellij factories has increased. However, though factories can produce thousands of zellij pieces much faster and cheaper, traditional handmade zellij is still popular as it is unique. Tourists love to visit zellij workshops in Fes to buy some pieces. They often buy them as souvenirs for their friends and families.
4To advertise the Moroccan culture worldwide, the government encourages the new generations to learn the traditional skills. Across Morocco, there are about 58 artisan schools that teach the art of zellij, woodwork, leather and many other crafts. They teach young people about its history, techniques and cultural importance.
Adapted from: www.deutschland.de
