Foundouk Chejra

There are many markets outside the medina of Tanger. A favorite but not so well known is Foundouk Chejra, built at the beginning of the twentieth century at the time of the international status of Tanger, a colonial era when Tanger was ruled by different countries. All taking turn to manage the city. Traditionally, Foundouk Chejra had a open ground-floor courtyard where people from all over the region came to sell their foodstuffs and artisan. Times change and nowadays the court yard is covered and vendors in tiny stalls sell everything you could imagine from pots and pans to flowery tea sets from China. The upper floor is a different story.

The upper floor is dedicated to the production of textiles, Origionaly the upper gallery was rooms where travellers could stay for the night. Each room is a seperate enterprise most operating with Hand made looms. The workshops hold one to two looms with a second one on a windowless mezzanine just above. The looms are activated by foot and the spools thrown from one side to the other by hand. Primative as it may be to modern standards, it's quite amazing the quality of rugs and garments that come out of this place. At Shop Morocco we buy direct from many of these workshops, keeping this ancient trade alive. Below are some of the fantastic clothes they make.