Moroccan Craftmanship

Moroccan craftmanship had been always facing challenges that hinder its development as an effective sector in the Moroccan Economy. Moroccan artisans played and continue to play a vital role in the development of the sector while preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. With a total of 2.4 million craftsmen/women and through their intricate craftsmanship and dedication to traditional techniques, these artisans are guardians of the country’s cultural identity and creators of 100% Moroccan brands that attract the attention of foreigners, introducing them to, and encouraging them to appreciate and purchase products that reflect our identity.

Their work not only showcases the beauty and diversity of Moroccan artistry but also ensures that age-old traditions are passed down from generation to generation. By honouring and supporting Moroccan craftsmen, we contribute to preserving a unique cultural legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide but these people face different challenges.

Some craftsmen can barely gain their bread, which is why younger generations will never think of taking craftsmanship as a career, especially the ones aiming for a rich life.

Initiatives have been made, some of them had results, while others had no real results to solve this field’s problems.

Here we will present to you some programs done by public organisations, and others did by associations and young individuals who want to be a protective shield to the future of craftmanship in our Country.

Initiatives of Ministry of Tourism, Air Transport, Craftmanship and Social Economy:

This sector wasn’t receiving real recognition for its great growth potential and its contribution to the country’s economic development till 2007. The journey started with the signing of a contract – the “Vision 2015” program for the category of traditional industry with a cultural load under the actual presidency of His Majesty King, may God assist him in February 2007, which made it a strategic sector of importance; Great economic, social and cultural load.

To enhance its economic role and contribution to the country’s development and enhance its fundamental role in preserving identity and intangible national heritage, the traditional industry sector with all its components needed, more than ever before, a distinctive and innovative new strategy for its development and a new road map that is purposeful, practical and has an important impact.

2015 Vision of Moroccan Craftmanship

In 2009, exhibition sites have been created, under the 2015 vision program. This move helped a lot in traditional product marketing, since it made it closer to the consumers through the creation of these exhibitions in coastal and touristic cities during summer.

These initiatives have helped and still helping a lot of cooperations that have been created to improve the lives of artisans and countryside women, so they can build a future and gain their living.

In 2011, a TV competition program called” Senaat Bladi”, traduced as “My Countries Craftmanship”, started broadcasting to get the youngsters closer to this field and encourage the next generations to be a part of their country’s creative legacy. This was the moment when craftsmanship started to look like a fun career that is nothing less than any other career.

This program still exists now encouraging people to continue on their grandfathers pats.

One of the most important steps was done in October 2012 with the opening of the first Traditional Arts Academy in Casablanca. For the first time these traditional arts that used to be transformed traditionally from Maalem to his students inside the workshop, will be studied as an academic career and allow artisans to have official graduation certificates. It was a huge step to give this field the value it deserves and to encourage new generations to take a step toward this creative world.

2030 Vision of Moroccan Craftmanship

This field’s needs increased in the last few years with the context of the economic crisis associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, and its devastating impact on it.

In this regard, the new sector strategy, which is in the process of being finalized, aims to be comprehensive and integrated for all active members and branches in the sector while adopting an effective and distinctive approach.

The “Vision 2030” crafts strategy aims to create “a modern, high-value, competitive and structured craft industry,” by activating 4 main strategic challenges:

• Structuring and keeping pace with active members through providing more academic specialities to structure the learning process, as well as the organization of workshops, forums and exhibitions to allow the artisans to promote their work and present their knowledge.
• Modernizing branches by improving their business models and creating platforms for marketing as well as helping young craftsmen to create and develop entrepreneurial activities. The MDA organisation is playing a big role in this field’s modernization and improvements.

• Valuing the human element by providing health care and social aid to individuals, as long as providing a retirement pension and job loss compensation.
• Strengthening and improving institutional organization.

Associations initiatives to support the Moroccan Craftmanship:

1001 association:

1001 Artisans is a Moroccan non-governmental organization dedicated to revitalizing at-risk traditional Moroccan crafts. By placing artisans at the core of its approach, the organization seeks to preserve traditional expertise and transfer skills to future generations.

Websites and Platforms for marketing and support:

My Tindy

MyTindy is a platform that showcases the skilled artisans of Morocco to a global audience. The artisans create their products exclusively in Morocco and the platform collaborates with each brand to assess their products, comprehend their techniques, and guarantee the production of top-notch items that resonate with the consumer. Through MyTindy, the network of artisans can expand their reach to an international market and seize the opportunity to cultivate a thriving and prosperous business.

Konoz shop

Konoz digital market space where the artisans can make announcements of the products they want to sell without any need to send additional documents. It can be used by brands and individuals.

Boutique Artisanat

Boutique Artisanat is another digital market dedicated to the artisans of the region of Fes-Meknes. This platform is made by the “Artisanal Room” of the region.

It’s also about publishing announcements of the maid products by the artisans and once they post on it they become a part of the platform announcers list where their information will be shown to the website visitors so they can be contacted for special and personalised orders.

Sanaa Taklidia

Sanaa Taklidia exclusively offers artisanal products for purchase without providing any information about the creators behind the crafts. It operates by curating diverse craftworks from various artisans and making them available for digital sale.