The yarns of the yarn market in Marrakech .. From the nakhasah to the trade

Abdel Ghani Balout - Marrakech

In the midst of traditional and carefully arranged women's clothing, and various colored wools, Fatihah sits on her throne in the spinning market in the old city of Marrakesh (southern Morocco).

This lady of the sixties is keen to present embroidered kaftans and embroidered women's gowns, welcoming her customers with the smile and joy of the city's red people, but also with the skill of skilled trading that tries to convince the originality and quality of goods.

"I inherited the trade in the women's market from my mother, may God have mercy on her, who took responsibility for the family after we lost my father. I was four years old, and in his blessing I raised my children as well," says this sophisticated saleswoman, as she likes her friends.

Wearing women
From the "macarist of history," as the people of the city put it, this market is transformed from a place of nakhasah controlled by the necks of women into a space that controls women's shawls. Mrs. Fatihah is counted among more than fifty women who trade in it permanently.

What distinguishes the spinning market from the rest of the city's historical markets is that it still retains its ancient geometric shape, which is closed in the shape of a hotel with its simple pillars. As Ibrahim Ayat Aizi, researcher in history, notes in a statement to Al Jazeera Net.

Wool and raw wool were sold in the first half of the day, while the slave trade was active in the afternoon.

Good literature
But what is now dominating the market is the display of traditional clothing used in stylistically durable shops, with the addition of some pieces of trendy clothing and a small amount of wool.

Along the high stands of the shops, the women in the carriages do not frown on their side-by-side conversations; all they have to do is to be courteous and polite with the customers.

Trade in the ear
"The market has been known to be slave trade, especially in particular," said Haj Mohammed Balaroussi, the oldest elected member of the old city and a former head of its council. "There was no prior planning to become special for women's clothing trade," he told Al-Jazeera Net.

Token value
In the market there are permanent shops that are occupied by women, and in the middle is a square where women are visiting their goods. They may be a shirt, pants or even a tank.

"The market knew that poor women were using it to sell some of the gifts they gave them from neighbors, which are often used women's clothing (takchita / two-piece kit, caftan, jilbab), but they have symbolic and community value," explains Bellaroussi.

When she approaches a visitor with her "caftan wedding," "gift from her neighbor," or "her husband's shirt," as she says, "You can not bargain with her and buy from her, she tells his story and offers it cheaply," says one customer.

Exemption concerns
The need is clear: "Most of these traitors have narrowed the world with what they welcomed, and did not find refuge but some clothes Aldlabhn, Vvlnh Mahmomat, and graduated and may God be pleased with them."

"The market gives me safety and gives me the same question as a lot of vulnerable women in the city," she said.

Talking to the traitors is easy, they are the sweet talkers in the world of buying and selling, but at the same time they are reluctant to mention the reasons why they trade in the midst of visitors' questions.

Remembrance of forgetfulness
"We have pain, when we remember that in this market, human flesh is sold, including very young girls," says one who almost sums up when she reminds them of the past of the market.

According to Ait Izzy, the trade of caravans flourished in Morocco several centuries ago, especially during the reign of the Sultans, and continued to flourish in the city until the early twentieth century.

When she hears the need, the lady of Marrakesh says, "Souk and Nakhasah" shouts her body and bemoans what she was. She is overcome by the desire to cry, as she expresses it. "But the past is over, and we are in a new era with new air."

Show and feel
It was no longer the commodity that the auctioneer toured "human flesh cuts as in the past" or "just used clothes now."

But sometimes become the luxury of Moroccan clothes, competing for the exploration of "Gents" of models, and manufacturers of modern clothes, as illustrated by the need to re-arrange the tampering with the hand of a customer looking for suitable caftan.

Antiques & Gifts
According to Bellarusi, based on a memory of more than six decades, "gifts and gifts have passed from here to princesses or wives of ministers."

"And like any market for old things has evolved into what it is now, it is accepted by lovers and lovers of taste for the prospect of exploration for his hopes," as expressed by the official in the city.

"This is the market for the poor, but we are also visited by tourists from all countries and seamstresses in order to look for authentic types of dress and embroidery details," says Fatihah.

Old Inspirational
"We recommend the sellers for every new piece, we know it may appear and have a wonderful taste, created by the traditional tailors and tailors," said Ms. Jawhara, who is a frequent participant in the market.

"The old things inspire us, and the traffickers have a serious sense of discovering the originality of the traditional dress," adds Johara, who presents herself as a fashion designer.

"In the Halal trade, Baraka is an additional source of income for me and for the entire family." "I am at the age of retirement - I am smiling - and I continue to earn this trade daily, and I have inherited it for one of my daughters."