How Rug Weavers In Morocco Are Working Together To Fight For A Fair Wage | So Expensive

Moroccan rugs are valued around the world for their complex patterns and thick wool. A large rug can take months to weave, but the women who complete each step by hand usually receive the least profit.

Selling directly to consumers is challenging, so artisans often rely on middlemen who sell the rugs for several times more in big cities. Online, Moroccan rugs can sell for several thousand dollars.

We went to Morocco to find out why these artisans struggle to earn a profit while the rugs are so expensive.

Intro 0:00
Moroccan rugs 1:18
Cleaning and spinning wool 2:03
Working in a cooperative 2:36
Wool from mountain sheep 4:25
Dyeing wool 5:21
Weaving the design 6:16
Earning a profit 8:10
Passing on the craft 12:00

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How Rug Weavers In Morocco Are Working Together To Fight For A Fair Wage | So Expensive

[avocares]

If the goal is to support these artisans, then why not link to the co-ops that take the least percentage so viewers can support them?

[abdelhamidcherragui]

If you go to Morocco, always go to a cooperative to buy not just rugs but anything like Argan Oil or other traditional products. The Bazaars do have authentic moroccan crafts, but the price is often three to four times higher than buying from a cooperative and only a minute amount of the profits goes back to the artisans.

Also, by going to the cooperatives you get to meet the artisans, talk to them, drink tea with them and learn how they make their crafts. Cooperatives love displaying their know-how alongside their products. Spending time in a cooperative is an unforgettable experience especially if you get to experience how the crafts are made and give it a try even.

[samanthagreen]

I went to a cooperative in the Atlas mountains (Atlas Art Rug) ordered my handmade rug, spoke to the weavers, it was a great experience!! My new baby should be completed soon and shipped by the end of this month 🥰

[angiewheeler]

It would be wonderful to feature these artisans at a Moroccan art museum and get them connected with people who could help them with that they need. I wish them so much success. As someone who loves the art, I truly appreciate these artisans. What they do is beautiful!

[Boopi]

My friend is from that region in Morocco and had a handmade rug shipped. Not only is it absolutely beautiful but the sensation of walking barefoot on it is extraordinary. It is the single FLOOFIEST rug I ever laid feet on.

[mohammedamhadouch]

I am moroccan amazigh and it feels heart warming to see this. These women put their hearts and souls into creating these masterpieces. Its a trade that was passed from generation to generation, the reason that most of them do not make bigger profits on it is that they are located in the mountains and they cannot afford to go to the cities nearby to showcase their products since they have families to care for. Therefore, they have to go through intermediates, some of them are honest while the rest are shady and try to lowball these women so they can resell them for much more money especially to tourists. I hope people one day will straight to these women and buy from them. All the love for these brave amazigh women ❤❤

[Downbutup]

So authentic, no wonder why the rugs are too expensive, lots of women get involved with so much energy and smiles. Bringing home a rug like this is like bringing home all the joy of these beautiful, pure souls.
I will buy one ❤️

[EminemRoxxxxx]

Was in Morocco for a month 2 weeks ago, got to see some of the artisans doing the work and visited a few cooperative stores.
These rugs are by far the prettiest rugs I've seen. Persian rugs are beautiful, but the feel and comfort of Moroccan rugs is something else.

Unfortunately I'm broke, but 1 day I'm definitely buying these!

[jip]

I visited Morocco last month and bought a rug from a cooperative in the Atlas mountains. It's so beautiful that I have framed the rug and I am hanging it on the wall. It's too beautiful to put on any floor : ). I hope these artisans can continue their craft for many years to come and that they are fairly compensated in each deal

[lahsini]

My mom and sisters all made these rugs. Hard work. They made them just for the family and rarely sold them. Just watching them as i kid i think i remember how it's done. God bless every Moroccan woman who supported their families through this amazing craft

[lifeonthelo]

It’s amazing how similar our cultures are! In Oaxaca, we do almost the exact same thing. Awareness makes people appreciate the artisan’s process and final work. In Oaxaca, before the loom was I traduced, it is also women who have carried out this work. Sending much from one indigenous woman to all the beautiful artisan women of Morocco.

[yassineabdelwahed]

Now you can see how the process of making a Moroccan rug is sooo long and hard that's really need a lot of patience, I huge respect to our mums and grandmothers who support a lot of hard work. I'm really proud of my culture and traditions as a Moroccan 🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦

[jamrock]

Morocco! New fav country thanks to the World Cup!

[robertkiehn]

A lot of these videos take the time to highlight artisan co-ops and it's heartening to see labourers getting organized and getting their due.

[bushrasaid]

OMG this triggered so many childhood memories I remember every step of the process and how everyday after lunch all the neighbors women would gather at our house and start working they even thought me how to tie the knots 🥺🥺🥺 It was an occasion to get together gossip with the background amazigh music playing ( oudaden imaghran hamid inerzaf) it was a therapeutic practice that was my highlight of the holidays I spend back home 😍😍 Thank you for reminding me of those most treasured memories

[SaumyaShiro]

I will visit Morocco some day to buy these rugs!

[saiidtte]

Oh This's my hometown !!!! . my mom used to create it

[oudiboudib]

As Moroccan, when i was young my mother used to make theses rugs, and her eyes were always glowing, when she tells us about how she made rugs. i can feel how proud she is with her handcraft

[youssefnaich]

The Moroccan culture is full of beautiful art.

[lectroeel]

As a Moroccan, this video was heartwarming. I remember me being young and seeing my grandmother actually sew these beautiful rugs. She didn't sell them, just made smaller rugs to put around as decoration. I felt cool nit needing the subtitles to understand the women in the video (idk why lol). Although I'm not from this particular region of Morocco. I have visited it.