Videos tagged with "handicraft"

Chefchaouen -- The Blue City of Morocco [05:09]
One of Morocco's most popular tourist destinations, Chefchaouen is most known for its blue-rinsed buildings and alleys, an old tradition leftover from the city's Jewish population. Chefchaouen was founded by Moorish exiles from Spain, in 1471, as a small fortress to fend off the attacks of invading Portuguese forcess in northern Morocco. After the Spanish Reconquista, the small mountain town became one of the largest Moriscos and Jews refuge sites, and during their stay they managed to leave their mark on it, one that makes the modern city so special. The name Chefchaouen comes from "chauen", which is Spanish for horns, and refers to the shape of the two mountains overlooking the settlement. But it's not its strange name, the beautiful and unique handicrafts sold by local craftsman, or the delicious goat cheese that attracts the majority of tourists to Chefchaouen. It's the blue-painted houses and buildings of the city, a tradition inherited from the former Jewish inhabitants. In the Bible, Israelites are commanded to dye one of the threads in their tallit (prayer shawl) blue, with tekhelel. This was an old natural dye, processed from a species of shellfish, but in time its production collapsed and the Jewish people eventually forgot how to make it. But, in honor of the sacred commandment, the color blue was still woven into the cloth of their tallit. When they look at the dye, they will think of the blue sky, and the God above them in Heaven. While the Jewish population ...

Local weaver in the rue Sidi ben Slimane, you can see him on your way to Riad Ariha Marrakech [02:11]
A short video that briefly describes the work of a local weaver near Riad Ariha Marrakech. We visited Abdelaziz in his tiny store that you pass on your way to the riad. He makes beautiful scarves - you can custom order in the exact colours you want or purchase something ready-made. One of the many fascinating craftsmen that make Marrakech so alive and interesting.
Tags: weaver, marrakech, old, city, medina, morocco, handicrafts, craftsmen, riad, ariha, riads, Marrakesh

Fez weavers. [00:26]
Morocco.
Tags: weaving, loom, weaver, peregrin@, lindadevolder, Canon, powershotsx30, geotagged, travel, Africa, Morocco, Maroc, al-Maġrib, المغرب العربي, Fes, Fez, handicraft, artesania, artisanat, handwerk, video

Fez tanneries [01:13]
Morocco. Fez. Terrasse des Tanneurs One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the Leather Souq and the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries. When approaching the tannery the smell is the first suggestion that something different is about to appear. The smell drifts around the balcony from where all the activity can be viewed and is enough to put off the most enthusiastic of tourists. The stench is worth braving as the view over the balcony allows those watching to see a site that has not changed since the 11th century. The tannery is composed of numerous stone vessels filled with a vast range of dyes and various odorous liquids. The tannery processes the hides (skins) of sheep and goats, turning them into high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, slippers and other similar products. This is all achieved manually, without the need for modern machinery. Men work in unbearably hot conditions (in the summer - 40 degrees and above). The tannery is a good example of mass production, a process that we often consider as being modern. The workers stand in the stone vessels arranged like honeycombs, filled with different dyes, dying the arms and legs of the men. The hides are first soaked in diluted acidic pigeon excrement and then transferred to other vessels containing vegetable dyes such as henna, saffron and mint. When the dying process has been completed the hides are dried on the roofs of the Medina.
Tags: lindadevolder, Canon, powershotsx30, geotagged, travel, Africa, Morocco, Maroc, al-Maġrib, المغرب العربي, Fes, Fez, handicraft, artesania, artisanat, handwerk, Chouwara tanneries, tanneries, leather

The making of a traditional Moroccan wedding belt. [01:21]
Morocco. Meknes souk.
Tags: lindadevolder, Canon, powershotsx30, geotagged, travel, Africa, Morocco, Maroc, al-Maġrib, المغرب العربي, Meknes, مكناس, wedding belt, handicraft, artesania, artisanat, handwerk, Arabic, wedding, tradition, video