Moroccan djellaba crafted by hand with patience

(2 Dec 2020) LEAD IN:
A handcrafted traditional outfit is a source of pride for the Moroccan city of Ouazzane.
It may be a laborious process to make the djellaba of Ouazzane but locals say they are happy to put in the hours.
STORY-LINE:
It could take up to a week for a tailor to sew a djellaba of Ouazzane, a handcrafted outfit that has become a symbol to the Moroccan city.
The long-sleeved, loose-fitting djellaba has been the official outfit to wear at religious occasions for a long time.
The traditional outfit remains an essential part of the wardrobe for many in Ouazzane.
But putting the djellaba together requires many hours of labour and effort, work that is mainly done by women.
They visit the weekly market on Thursday where they buy sheep wool.
In public water basins, they clean the wool with water and soap, then leave it to dry.
Half of the wool is lost or thrown away during the washing.
Afterwards, the women spin the usable wool to turn it into yarn.
It can take 15 days to produce three kilograms of wool yarn using this process.
It takes a lot of patience, says craftswoman Rachida Haddadi.
"Despite all these difficulties we continue to do this work because we want to keep and protect the djellaba of Ouazzane," she adds.
A wool weaver buys the wool yarns for a price that varies between 120 to 250 Moroccan dirhams ($13.2 - $27.6).
"It is not possible to use any other wool because the djellaba of Ouazzane is known for this handmade wool," says wool weaver Kacem Bougrine.
He turns the wool into high quality fabric that is either purchased by customers or tailors.
The fabric sells at a price ranging from 400 to 1,200 dirhams ($44.2 - $132.7).
In the past, the djellaba was only made for men, but tailors have recently started making the outfit for women and children too.
Tailors in Ouazzane are trying to cater to a larger clientele and have been making winter coats from the fabric used to make the djellaba.
The traditional djellaba differs from one Moroccan city to the other but the Ouazzane djellaba is the most famous model.
A handmade Ouazzane djellaba sells for between 900 and 1,500 dirhams ($99.5 - $166), while the one made using a sewing machine sells for 200 to 600 dirhams ($22.3 - $66.3).
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[@laurendoninger2693]

I just returned from Morocco and bought a djellaba - what are the washing recommendations? Thanks

[@matahari5465]

How can I buy winter Djellaba?

[@Isa-nu7lr]

You can buy winter djellaba on Etsy from Brother Rachid his shop name is ModernVintage Brother Rachid will custom make you a djellaba Brother I bought the black and striped one so can you it's amazing djellaba you will LOVE it if you buy it
Make sure you tell Brother Rachid you want baggy loose fitting so you can wear thick clothes underneath the djellaba if you want to
my advice take the measurement of the chest from shoulder to shoulder in inches and the length of the garment measure it in cms customize your djellaba Brother the size that will fit you the best will be the size you will want to order

[@ak52892]

Matahari did you manage to get one?

[@T-19-]

I need a nice dark grey one for the winter soon Insha’Allah

[@abudanyal9929]

Where is this place?

[@kevin-kingadu2080]

I like to wear them, they are comphy, but what is the meaning of the hood, they differ from the pieces in saudi arabia for exrmple, can u please tell me the story behind it?

[@Khalid-mf3iu]

Protecting head from heat?

[@11okt]

Where is this factory?