Artisan Centre by suvanki
During my visit to the Taourirt Kasbah, Mohamed, my guide took me to this Artisan centre. I was shown around by Mahamed Najib Hamim, a berber, dressed in a blue jellabah and headpiece, who was proud to show me around the various rooms, set out on 3 or 4 floors.This centre is a museum, art/craft gallery, and shop.
There is a large collection of Berber, Arabic, Jewish artifacts, which Mahamed is pleased to be amassing.
I was shown around the many rooms, with items of interest being pointed out. At one stage I found myself being dressed as a Berber lady, also as a Tourag!
The rooftop room had great views over Ouarzazate. I was looking out at what I thought was a Church tower, which I was told was in fact a film set!
In one room I spotted a great black and white photo of a man in casual western clothes with dreadlocks, I asked Mahamed who it was, he broke out into a huge smile and said it was him, a few years before!
Although, there was a bit of a possibility of trying to make a sale of goods shown to me, there was no pressure on me- Mahamed seemed to genuinely enjoy showing me around his place.
If it hadn't been the start of my holiday, and I wasn't intending to spend money/carry stuff around in my already heavy bag for the next 2 weeks, I might have been tempted to buy a few items.
I'd been shown some pieces of jewellery and was asked if I preferred silver or gold. When I answered silver, Mahamed smiled broadly, and said that I was A Berber, as they prefer silver, whereas Arabs prefer gold.