For centuries, Morocco has crafted exceptional equestrian craftsmanship. Blending tradition and prestige, Moroccan saddlery embodies a unique expertise, closely linked to the country's history and the central place of the horse in Moroccan culture.
📜 THE ORIGINS OF MOROCCAN SADDLERY: A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD EQUESTRIAN ART
The history of saddlery in Morocco dates back to the Berber dynasties of the Middle Ages (11th-15th centuries), particularly under the Almoravids and Almohads. The horse, a symbol of power and prestige, was essential to conquests and communications throughout the Moroccan Empire. Riders of the great dynasties wore richly decorated saddles inspired by Andalusian and Ottoman influences.
In the 16th century, under the Saadians , Moroccan saddlery reached its peak with the production of luxurious harnesses adorned with gold and silver embroidery. Later, under the reign of the Alaouites (17th century - present), Moroccan saddles became elements of social distinction, reflecting the status of riders and their belonging to the great tribes. Even today, the Tbourida (Moroccan fantasia) festivities bear witness to this prestigious heritage.
📜 MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES: VALUABLE EXPERTISE
Making a traditional Moroccan saddle is a long and meticulous process that requires the collaboration of several artisans:
🔹 Making the tree :
- The saddle tree, made of cedar or orange wood, is hand-shaped and covered with goatskin to ensure strength and flexibility.
🔹 Filling and padding :
- Wool or horsehair cushions are integrated to ensure optimal comfort for the rider and their mount.
🔹 Covering and embroidery :
- The saddle is covered with finely worked leather, sometimes decorated with patterns embroidered with gold and silver thread, a specialty of Fez and Marrakech .
🔹 Manufacturing of accessories :
- Stirrups, bits and bridles are often made of chiseled copper or damascened iron, made by artisan ironworkers.
Each saddle can require between 4 and 12 months of work and involve up to 17 different trades !
📜 THE CENTRAL PLACE OF THE HORSE IN MOROCCAN CULTURE
For centuries, the horse has been at the heart of Moroccan traditions:
🏇 Tbourida and Fantasia :
- Practiced throughout Morocco, the Tbourida is an equestrian spectacle where riders, dressed in traditional djellabas, perform impressive charges while firing synchronized gunshots.
🏇 Breeding of Barb and Arab-Barb horses :
- These breeds, prized for their endurance and elegance, are often saddled with richly decorated saddles during festivities.
🏇 Diplomatic use :
- Historically, Moroccan sultans offered horses harnessed in sumptuous saddles to foreign ambassadors as a sign of prestige.
📜 CHALLENGES AND TRANSMISSION OF KNOW-HOW
Despite its prestige, traditional Moroccan saddlery is today faced with several challenges:
🛑 Disappearance of master saddlers : Few craftsmen still master ancestral techniques.
🛑 Competition from industrial products : The rise of low-cost mass-produced saddles is endangering artisanal workshops.
🛑 Material Scarcity : Using high-quality leathers and woods is becoming more difficult due to environmental restrictions.
Faced with these challenges, initiatives are emerging to preserve this art, notably training for young artisans and programs to enhance Moroccan equestrian heritage .
🎯 CONCLUSION: A COMMITMENT TO SADDLERY CRAFTSMANSHIP
At < https://onlinemedina.com >, we support the transmission of this heritage. We hope to soon showcase the creations of Moroccan master saddlers.
Discover our exceptional products and help preserve an ancestral art!
📌 In the next episode: Discover the art of Moroccan interior design, where carved stucco, ornate wood, and ironwork transform palaces and riads into masterpieces!