<
https://theconversation.com/marrakech-artisans-who-have-helped-rebuild-the-moroccan-city-before-are-among-those-hit-hard-in-the-earthquakes-devastation-213217>
"A powerful earthquake that hit close to the medieval city of Marrakech in
Morocco on Sept. 8, 2023, has killed thousands and injured many more. It has
also put at risk buildings and monuments of major historic importance, among
them the minaret of the Kutubiyya mosque, a 12th-century structure that is an
icon of the city.
The Medina, the medieval walled portion of the city, is now littered with
rubble. The cultural significance of the Medina extends far beyond the antiques
and trinkets sold to tourists.
It is the location of numerous artisan workshops that make the ceramic tiles,
carved plaster and intricate woodwork that decorate the city. Many of these
workshops have maintained traditional methods for centuries, transmitting skill
sets down through the generations.
Part of Morocco’s bid for Marrakech’s UNESCO status was based on these craft
traditions being “intangible cultural heritage,” which the U.N. describes as
knowledge or skills that are passed down orally rather than in written form.
I’ve been working in Marrakech since 2014, living there on and off as I
completed research on a book about the development of Marrakech as a medieval
metropolis. Although my work focused on the 12th century, the more I learned
about the city, the more I realized that most of the urban fabric and
architectural sites I was looking at were thanks to the conservation efforts of
local workshops.
The UNESCO designation was a historical acknowledgment of the traditions of
poor and rural communities that can often get left out of larger conversations
about art history. It is precisely these communities that have maintained
Marrakech’s architectural heritage for generations, but the earthquake has
destroyed the workshops and residences of many in the Medina.
These poor and rural communities are at their most vulnerable just when their
skills will be needed the most to help rebuild the city after this disaster."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
