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Updated Sunday, January 31, 2010 2:05 pm TWN, By Marwa Salem, dpa



	In the principal marketplace for the carpets in Rabat. The man in the white hat, sitting on the carpet at center, plays the role of mediator between the carpet makers and buyers. (dpa) More Photos (2)

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Traditional Rabat carpet making defies modern factory production

Among the buyers are also shop owners who sometimes buy large quantities of carpets to sell in installments.

Although machine-made carpets are much cheaper, selling for 100-250 dirhams (12-30 dollars) per meter, there is a huge difference between them and the handmade ones. They differ in quality as well as shape and the patterns used.

Shama, who has been working as a carpet maker since the 1960s, says that she always chooses dark colors for her carpets. Yet, she adorns them with red, blue or green at the center's of the pattern in the middle of the carpet.

Yet, many Moroccans prefer to buy a red carpet because it is similar to the national flag, Shama says.

Moroccan rugs are the most significant in North Africa, although they were not found before the 19th century. The older rugs of Rabat are usually adorned with a triangle or diamond-shaped patterns.

Apart from the Rabat carpets, Morocco is rich in different styles such as the Plains of Marrakesh, the High Atlas rugs, which are more symmetrical than others, and the Middle Atlas which is more asymmetrical with crowded designs.

However, the Rabat rugs are more well-known due to their participation in international and local exhibitions.

Many people say they prefer to have a traditional carpet in their salon rooms where they receive the guests. Also, senior officials in governmental institutions and ministries always have traditional Rabat carpet in their offices.

However, some people argue that the traditional carpets are not as attractive to Moroccans as before. Zahra, another carpet maker, says that the job is no longer profitable because more people prefer to buy the cheaper carpets.

“Instead of paying 5,000 dirhams for one carpet, I can buy one for just 1,200,” says Mohamed, a civil servant.

A large number of carpet makers can not market their products because of the recession which affected the sector in recent years. It has also been affected by the decreasing number of tourists who liked to buy traditional carpets in the past.

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