Abstract Azilal - 4'x3'

Fatima grew up in a traditional Berber family in the Azilal Mountains. Her childhood was shaped by the simplicity of mountain life, where her family lived in tents and raised sheep. Far from big cities, their lives revolved around the land and their animals; a way of life supported by living off the land. From an early age, her mother and grandmother taught her the traditional Berber crafts: weaving rugs, spinning wool into clothes, and creating handmade pieces that carried the spirit of her culture.

When Fatima turned twenty, a young Berber man visiting the mountains asked for her hand in marriage. After marrying, the couple continued living the traditional Berber life and building their own home as their family grew. Life in the mountains was not easy with their five children. Eventually Fatima and her husband made the difficult decision to move closer to the village of Azila so their children could study. This transition was challenging; leaving the traditional nomadic way of life meant finding new ways to survive. In the village, the family realized the importance of money in daily life; for food, clothes, and education. Fatima’s husband also worked as an artisan and they worked together in their craft, preserving their Berber traditions through their work, even as they adapted to a new way of living.

Today, their rugs and crafts reflect skill, resilience, tradition, and family.