Morocco has a craftsmanship as rich as it is ancient. Its craftsmen they are the pride of the country, with a know-how which is passed down from generation to generation. They are at the very heart of the project. minug : the highlighting exceptional craftsmanship . So if some terms are now familiar to you, such as slippers , gandoura Or Jabador , there are others you might not know about! In this article, minug offers you a little A glossary of traditional Moroccan clothing and the craftsmanship that goes into making it. Ready to expand your vocabulary while delving into the captivating history of Moroccan craftsmanship ? Let's go!

Aqad, or aakad (عقد)

THE 3aqad These are small buttons used to fasten traditional clothing, for example, a caftan. While these buttons are sometimes found in metal, aaqad They generally share a distinctive feature: they are braided! They can even sometimes be made of silk or gold threads, depending on the garment and its intended wearer. They are sometimes used solely as ornaments on traditional clothing.

THE 3aqad They consist of two parts: the button and the eyelet. The latter allows the two parts of the fabric to be closed and held together.

Berchman (بارشمان)

This refers to thread work, done by hand, usually by two people. This is then called Trimmings , which consists of creating decorations and ornaments for clothing (or even furnishings) using threads, cords, ribbons, etc. It is a craft that usually comes into play in the finishing touches of a product and the addition of details.

On traditional clothing, it is a complex embroidery pattern usually made with metallic threads, often used to decorate the sleeves, collar or other parts of the garments.

Debana (ديبانة)

This term refers to the typical motifs found on traditional Moroccan clothing. These motifs are created by artisans using needle and thread. They form overlapping circles, reminiscent of a fly, hence the name. It also refers to an embroidered or woven band that adorns the ends of sleeves and hems, adding a subtle decorative touch.

Originally, the term " bliba " was used.

Dfira (دفرة)

These are twisted silk or wool cords, sometimes adorned with tassels, used to decorate clothing and add a touch of elegance.

Fssala ( فصالة)

This term refers to a type of cut. It is the cut traditionally used for making the caftan, which forms the letter T.

Jiyab (جيب)

These are the pockets integrated into caftans, sarouels, and djellabas. Originally, they were deep, but the modernization of traditional clothing has led to the appearance of pockets that are sometimes smaller, particularly on caftans, and sometimes purely decorative.

M'ramma (المرمة)

That's the name of the loom.

Moukh

This term refers to an embroidery motif. It is made of thread. skalli , which has the distinction of having a glossy finish.

Ntaâ Or tarz ntaâ

Originating from the city of Fez, this is a gold thread embroidery. Generally very elaborate, and therefore quite heavy, it is worked on thick fabrics (such as velvet). The motif traditionally depicts a peacock. It is believed to be a legacy of ancient trade with China.

Ronda (رندة)

It is a type of traditional circular embroidery, often used to decorate the collars, sleeves, and pockets of clothing.

Sfifa (سفيفة)

There sfifa A decorative band, typically sewn along the edges of garments, is a narrow strip of fabric often used in contrasting colors to create an attractive visual effect. It is used in the making of many Moroccan handicrafts and can be found on both decorations and garments such as caftans, gandouras, and more. Furthermore, it's a detail that can be seen on both women's and men's clothing. It is, in a way, THE detail that elevates any traditional Moroccan outfit. This piece is also known as an " aamara ."

On this The jabador , the sfifa is the gold embroidered band. A true embellishment that makes all the difference on this three-piece set!

Skalli samm (الصقلي)

Gold or silver thread is used to embroider caftans. More affordable, skalli thread is now available in a synthetic version with a shiny finish.

Tarz (طرز)

This is the art of embroidery. Depending on the different regions of Morocco, there are different types, including:

• Tarz al gharza , from Fez. This type of embroidery is recognizable by its monochrome geometric patterns.
• Tarz ntaâ . Embroideries traditionally made with gold thread on silk velvet. It is also monochrome.
• Tarz tetouani , as its name suggests, comes from Tetouan. It is easily recognizable thanks to its floral motifs, worked in three dimensions. Unlike the two previous types, it is a type of embroidery featuring multiple colors.
• Tarz el meknassi, from Meknes. This type of embroidery is characterized by a stitch that is either diagonal or grid-like.

Tarz m3alem (ترز معلم)

Specific ornaments worn by master craftsmen or experienced artisans, reflecting their expertise and skill in their crafts.

How about revisiting the classics?

Babouches

Babouches are traditional shoes, consisting of a flat sole and a leather upper. Depending on the region of Morocco, they come in various styles, some with embroidery, others with very minimalist designs.

➡️ Discover the minug slippers

Gandoura

The gandoura is a traditional garment consisting of a long, wide tunic that reaches the ankles. It can be worn alone or over sarouel pants.

➡️ For To learn more about the history of the gandoura, click here .

Jabador

Well-known to regulars at minug, the jabador is a men's outfit consisting of three pieces: harem pants, a tunic, and a thin vest. The jabador comes in various types of fabric. Indeed, there are very fine, lightweight models, with a voile vest for example, and other more opaque models, using velvet.

This is the perfect outfit for combining elegance and sophistication. Today, it is generally worn for special occasions, such as weddings or the Eid celebration.

➡️ jabador

Jellaba

The djellaba is a long tunic that reaches to the ankle. It is an easily identifiable garment because it has a hood.

It is an essential part of Moroccan culture, and is practiced by both men and women.

➡️ Discover the minug jellabas

Selham

A selham is a cape with a hood. Traditionally, selhams were made from wool. Nowadays, selhams are available in a variety of fabrics.

➡️ Discover the Selham minug

The glossary of traditional Moroccan clothing…not forgetting headwear!

Chachiya (or kuffi)

It's a very common head covering, even among young people. It takes on completely different forms depending on the country. It's generally found as a small, soft hat, crocheted or sometimes made of wool. The chachiya is worn every day.

Razza (or amama)

A very sophisticated head covering, it is generally worn on important days (Eid, wedding celebrations, etc.)

➡️ Razza minug

Tarboosh

The tarboosh, a small red felt hat, was traditionally made in Fez. In fact, the Turks call it a "fez." This head covering is very widely worn, from the Maghreb to the Middle East.

➡️ The minug tarboosh

We hope you enjoyed this brief glossary of traditional Moroccan men's clothing and the craftsmanship involved. As they say, it's the details that make the difference. This adage truly rings true in Moroccan attire. Even though machines sometimes assist their work, the artisans' expertise endures. Across all fields, this know-how constitutes Morocco's cultural heritage. minug is dedicated to offering you traditional Moroccan clothing, working with these exceptional artisans. Therefore, you can find high-quality garments from the comfort of your home, simply by visiting our website. online store .