In the Muslim world in general, and in the countries in our catalog in particular, handicrafts play a fundamental role. Not only in the identity culture of their peoples, but also in the day-to-day economy, as it continues to be a sector that generates wealth and jobs. But the best thing for travelers who are interested in it is that, in addition, you can discover it live and, in some cases, in first person, witnessing the process of creation or even making the items with their own hands. In these lines we give you some of the most significant examples that we can put at your fingertips, focusing on two countries of special relevance: Turkey and Morocco.
Cappadocia: beyond the fairy chimneys
In our tours of Turkey, it is usual to dedicate two or three days to explore this fascinating region, known worldwide for its dreamlike landscape of fairy chimneys. However, here are also developed high quality crafts and deeply rooted among the local people, who are also happy to teach their techniques and items to travelers.
One of the best examples is pottery made from red clay from the Red River, so called because its bed drags this precious raw material to make all kinds of ceramics, crockery, vases and other pieces for everyday use or home decoration. The workshops organized in the ‘capital’ of this craft, Avanos, are a great success among travelers, who manage to create their own article in just two hours.
Handcrafted jewelry is also widespread in Cappadocia. In towns like Nevsehir are located the workshops of master jewelers, where demonstrations of their meticulous manual technique are made. And that will be a unique opportunity to get to know closely a raw material of great value in the region: the precious stone zultanite.
Finally, textile craftsmanship is also deeply rooted in Cappadocia, for example in Göreme, where there are schools-workshops where carpets and rugs, the famous Turkish kilims , are produced from local wool, cotton from the coast and silk from Bursa, often carried out by women spinners of the highest expertise.
Morocco: in the medinas and the desert
Morocco is another country where handicrafts are not just a cultural aspect, but a major economic sector and a tourist attraction in itself. And this is the case practically all over the country, with a special presence in the souks of the medinas and in the southern populations of the desert desert.
The star product is often Fez pottery, with its characteristic bluish tones as a sign of identity. There are many artisan workshops located in the outskirts of the city that give demonstrations to travelers. But Fez also has a long tradition in wood, metal and leather, among other materials. And they are available to everyone in the historic center, for example in the Nejjarine square for cabinetmakers, the Attarine square for brass workers and the Chowara neighborhood for tanners. A visit here is an excellent way to get in touch with the trade and, why not, to buy directly from the producers.
And those who reach the south of the country, will be able to know the most humble and popular craftsmanship of the Berber culture. In particular, their mastery in basketry, made mainly from palm leaves, as this tree forms huge oasis in places like the Draa Valley, being the epicenter of this art the palm grove of Skoura.
But these are just some examples of how much you can learn from the craftsmanship in the countries of our catalog, so there are other techniques and materials worthy of knowing in person for a new post. And if you do not want these experiences to be missing in your travel package, just let us know and we will book one for you in one of the destinations of the circuit.
