Algerian craft industry struggling for survival
2006-10-08
With trade deregulated and the market flooded with cheap Asian goods, combined with the fall in Algerian tourism during the decade-long civil war and the high cost of raw materials, the Algerian craft industry is struggling for survival.
By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 08/10/06
 [File] High rents in Algeria have forced many artisans to use their homes as shops. |
Thousands of Algerians are abandoning handicrafts for more profitable work due to a number of factors.
Yousef Farah, a former ceramics maker who now runs a café in the Kasbah, blames the desertion of the profession on the high cost of raw materials.
"To make ceramics, you need pure clay. You have to go and find it and pay a high price. That has an effect on the price of the finished goods. Since the terrorist attacks began, tourists have stopped coming to the Kasbah. Who can we sell to? Algerians can buy imported ceramics ten times cheaper than ours," he told Magharebia.
Local craftsmen are finding it difficult to compete with mass-produced goods, a result of trade deregulation. For example, a Chinese vase in Algiers sells for less than 2,000 dinars, while a domestic ceramic handmade vase sells for at least 10,000 dinars.
Foreign visitors still look for locally-made crafts, while locals tend to turn towards the inexpensive alternatives. Omar Arabadji, a veteran craftsman from the Kasbah of Algiers, notes, "This used to be the street of the jewellery makers. Across the street was where weavers used to work. A bit further is where the coppersmiths were and down there is where the leather workers were. Now they're all gone. The whole Kasbah has been taken over by cheap rubbish."
However, some craftsmen remain.
Boualem Mazioud still owns a small gold thread shop. While demand for traditional dresses has never fallen, especially for weddings, the price of gold thread has risen sharply, which has inevitably had an effect on the price of kaftans, karakous and other ceremonial dresses.
"Brides take two years or more to pay for their dresses and I've had to adapt... Women order their dresses and pay in monthly instalments over two to three years," Mazioud explains.
A custom-made wedding gown in Algiers with gold thread embroidery starts at 60,000 dinars, while the ready-to-wear gowns sell for no more than 20,000 dinars.
With the return of a modest number of tourists (approximately 200,000 over the last several years), Rachid Ferki, like many other Algerian craftsmen, would like to see designated areas for artisans in places frequented by tourists, such as the Kasbah in Algiers. He is also hoping for more government support, particularly with regard to raw materials, to help nationally-produced craft items compete with imports.
The government has begun allowing bank loans at low interest rates for young people entering the profession.
Ferki, who was an electronics engineer, decided to start his own business selling glass items. He goes from town to town to craft shows because, "It's the only way I can advertise my products. I have no sales premises because the rent is too expensive, so I squat at all the exhibitions to try to make a success of my business."
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Mustapha Sebaa Posted 2006-10-10
Algeria should develop a tourism marked were Algerian goods exclusively would be sold to encourage the local marked (Craftsman), wile thus are sold on the side walk of a major street in Algeria , I encourage the Algerians abroad to buy the Algerian crafts every time they go on vacation
آسف جدا Posted 2007-02-11
Sorry I cant give my name. I am preparing for a senior technician certificate in this specialty in Telemsan. There seems to be no interest given to this industry because officials do the opposite of what the government talks about, exclusion, theft and underfeeding their people...Please intervene and help us by granting more attention to this area..here is my email!
مغربي اصيل Posted 2007-05-28
Salam alaikoum, this topic has caught my interest, as I'm looking for pottery products, I'm Moroccan tourist guide, and like to introduce this well-known craft, and I don't want to limit the thought of tourists coming to Morocco only to the Moroccan culture but I like to show them the cultures and traditions of every country, thanks to God. I know many Algerian brothers living in the city of Maghnia on the Moroccan-Algerian border. They confirm that the prices of this craft are going down as brother Youssef mentioned that the prices of raw materials are very expensive and the craftsman no longer holds many hopes on this product in its final touch. I hope that Algerian authorities will consider this reality and not allow foreign products to enter the local markets only via legal means and with prices that are equal to the prices of the local product. This is my opinion, and you'll have all consideration. May God grant you success in all the good. Salam alaikoum.
Akad Posted 2007-07-02
Hello, It is true that the Algerian craft industry has some problems, but do not forget our neighbouring countries like Morocco, that sells their artistic products for less than industrial products. This lowers the value of handicrafts. For example: their rug exports nearly collapsed to the point where a Moroccan carpet cannot be sold anymore because it is valueless! Doing such at a price less expensive than manufactured products is where the fault lies. Algerian artisans do not sell their works of art for a few crumbs. Salam
السعيد عمور Posted 2007-10-19
In the name of God. Within the promotion of the artisans, we can provide many working posts in different regions. Every region has its specific arts. If we manage to provide or exploit necessary means to a generation of young artisans, this will contribute to industrial development in Algeria and attract many tourists from different parts in the world. Essaid Amour, Youth House Akrif Nourdim, Beni Aziz, province of Setif.
meriem Posted 2007-10-19
I would like to have a traditional craft-making hobby.
karim طبيب نفسي ومحلل إجتماعي Posted 2007-11-02
There's no handicraft in Algeria. As this country was colonized by Turkey then France and after independence it became a Marxist Russian State. So where will the handicrafts come from. Maybe there can be a Chinese industry by the Chinese workers in this country wherein extremism, arrogance and insulting are masters.
ناني Posted 2007-12-02
I really like Algerian traditional fashions.
boualem Posted 2008-01-02
I am looking for people in Europe, most notably France, to buy our Algerian-craft products. Our products are original, high-quality, reliable, environmentally safe and can be registered as fair-trade (between the North and South). They also part of our sustainable development. Please, contact us.
مريم Posted 2008-01-03
I have a degree in horticulture. I would like you help with a project. I have a small shop in the Ali Mellah bazaar in Algiers.
artisant t.s Posted 2008-02-01
I’m a trainee in the national institute specializing in handicraft in Tlemcen. I suffer from the weakness of management, continuous disturbance by the managers of institute, ignorance of the by-laws of the institute by the administration, the dominance of the phenomenon of swindling, fraud, plundering and robbing of the properties of the State which negatively impact the reputation of the institute. Therefore, we ask you to interfere and bring your assistance as soon as possible. Sincerely yours. I hope that you will take this into consideration.
aziz Posted 2008-04-04
I am an Algerian young man. I have a diploma in pottery and ceramics. I have a shop but I don’t know where the equipment is sold here in Algeria to buy it and start working, I mean the oven, oxidants, the tour… Please help me.
mido Posted 2008-04-19
Hello Everybody, I am looking for high-quality decorating products manufactured in Algeria, which must be hand-made. I will look into all proposals. This is a very serious offer. Contact me via email. Thank you
حكيم زمال Posted 2008-05-15
I honestly respect all the efforts made by professionals for the cultural heritage in this country so dear to us. We, young people, must struggle for this artistic heritage which was left to us by our faithful forefathers… I am a young man from the East of Algeria in Bir El Atir, Tibessa. I am skilled in plastic arts, gypsum sculpture, cement sculpture and sculpture of other similar materials. I am looking for the support of this great country. Traditional handicrafts exist but they must be supported and showcased. My greetings to all traditional professionals in the world. May God protect you and preserve you…
amel Posted 2008-06-11
I have been online for hours looking for Algerian-style carpets and goods made solely in Algeria. I am opening a restaurant here in France, but I am disappointed in my establishment’s decoration and presentation, as I want it to reflect Algeria. Unfortunately, I have found nothing at all to buy. Thus, I will have to turn towards other countries like Morocco, Tunisia and India to find crafts. What a shame!
Anonymous Posted 2008-07-13
Salam and greetings. I am a craftsman of wood tools for the kitchen and decoration. All craftsmen should hang on to crafts because they are a legacy. They must preserve them because man, despite having achieved progress, is looking for authenticity. Authenticity is made by the craftsman with his golden fingers. man, despite having achieved progress, is looking for authenticity. When the European tourist comes here, he wishes to take a special gift from that country. He wouldn’t take a Chinese vase. Therefore, tourism is an important factor for the development of handicrafts. Finally, I ask the authorities to preserve these golden fingers.
HOCINE. B. Posted 2008-10-10
Hello to all of you, I would like to tell my many friends from Algeria that, contrary to what is being said here and there, Algeria does indeed have a very very ancient, very diverse and very beautiful craft industry. For those who are not familiar with this country, I can tell you that is has had a tumultuous past. Invaded by many armies since the time of the Visigoths, Romans, Phoenicians and I digress, it always got the best of its enemies, protecting and developing its cultural patrimony without relenting one inch to the invading culture. Today, it has a craft industry that is among the richest in the world. As is highlighted quite justly by many Internet-goers, this remains unknown because of the political system, which has never accorded any importance to Algerian culture; quite the contrary, it has always suppressed the industry out of being ignorant and uncultured. Today, many young Algerians are beginning to become aware of their true, historic wealth. They are waking up. You can see them most notably on the Internet. For those who wish to understand Algerian culture, particularly its craft industry, there are several Internet websites. There is even a web portal on handicrafts at algerie-artisanat.com. Have a good visit for those of you who are curious. –Until next time
RADOUANE Claire Posted 2008-10-16
I would like to know if the regions and cities of Algeria have a given specific reputations for certain crafts as, for example, the Essaouira woodworking in Morocco? Is anyone able to respond? One other question beyond that of craftworking is: what specific things are the major cities and regions of Algeria known for? (For example: Constantine is known for its bridges.) Thank you in advance.
abdesalem Posted 2008-10-30
Hi- I am a craftsman in Constantine. Our problem comes not from Chinese products, but from illegal competition from Beni-Mezab, which is comprised of cloth trade and traditional dresses that they do not even know how to produce. They have some to money to invest in young artists, and the latter is only looking to line their pockets to buy cigarettes and drugs. They sell their dresses at low prices to facilitate their habits. The real craftsmen wait for clients, who end up decide that the prices of the product from Beni Mezab are lower.
amar zahi Posted 2009-01-22
Antique.
racha de tlemcen Posted 2009-02-17
Hello everyone- I was delighted to read all of these comments. I think that having too many critics is bad. What we need is to go hand and hand and encourage one another to unite our efforts and make a beautiful future. Personally, I do a lot of house repairs, but, unfortunately, I have no future projects. I have a lot of ideas in mind, but what do I do and who do I contact about landscaping, tailoring, weaving, jewellery-making, remodelling, and so on while limiting it so that no one but my children know. If you know a place where I can develop my things, I would be delighted to know about it and, if possible, to develop and do a lot of things. Thank you. If possible, I would be delighted if you respond. –A friend
Boudjemaa Posted 2009-10-19
Salam alaikoum and hello- I am an Algerian, who is living in France. I am proud of my country’s craftsmanship. I was more than amazed with the craftsmanship in our Sahara in both Hoggar and Tassili. I saw on Algerian television on 16 October 2009 – and I do believe this documentary – that we make products from sand and from desert roses. It was marvellous. I would like to get into contact with these people or someone who can advise me about this. I am very interesting in importing these products to make them known to our craftsmen in France and Europe and give them a little new life.
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