Craftsmen

Chefchaouen // Morocco

By Lauren di Matteo

Morocco was the first country of its kind that I had traveled to. A land brimming with such beauty—its people, its art, colorful craftsmanship and architecture—all of it, just breathtaking. As a photographer, there was much to behold, yet the closed off posture of the Muslim people was difficult to navigate. Islam considers the body to be sacred, and so, the older generations are both skeptical and very closed off to foreigners with cameras, fearing their image will be manipulated and circulated online, resulting in shame for them and their family. Thankfully, I found that adapting to their measured pace of life—valuing people over agendas—along with expressing genuine interest with a sincere smile, went a long way. Having a brave, Arabic-speaking co-pilot may have helped a bit as well.

It was in the small, hillside village of Chefchaouen that I first found favor with several skilled artisans. We spent hours weaving through every inch of the blue washed, cobblestone corridors that make up the city’s most ancient quarter. At every turn, there were shops lined with colorful and carefully created wares—soaps, textiles, pottery, furniture. In several instances, after exchanging pleasantries and patiently watching the tradesmen at work, they would slowly begin to open up and share about their life’s work. Despite the varying trades, each conversation seemed to follow one storyline—an explanation of the process, the importance of time-honored traditions, and unfortunately, the difficulty of finding ways to spark interest in the younger generation. I was inspired by the faithfulness of these craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to producing beautiful wares, and disheartened by the sadness that washed over them as they described the hopelessness of a dying craft.