lartisanat

Recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritagelist on November 29, 2018, the pottery of Sejnane has been recognized as a fully-fledged art form.

The know-how associated with the pottery of the women of Sejnane involves a unique technique used to create terracotta artifacts for the home, such as kitchen utensils, dolls, and animal figurines inspired by their environment. All stages of production are carried out by women, who also sell the pottery in the village and along nearby roads, making them central figures in their community.

The clay is typically extracted from riverbeds, then cut into chunks, crushed, purified, and soaked before being kneaded and shaped. Once fired, the pottery is decorated with two-tone geometric patterns reminiscent of traditional tattoos and Berber weavings.

Men participate in the sales, making this family craft a tool for promoting family cohesion. Faced with socio-economic changes, the women of Sejnane have adapted their craft to the new demands of modern life and fluctuating market needs, demonstrating their capacity for innovation. The knowledge and skills related to this manual pottery craft in Sejnane are passed down through traditional and informal teaching within the communities, where young girls are encouraged to learn this art alongside their formal education. The National Office of Handicrafts also provides training courses for young women in the community who wish to pursue this activity.