Heritage & Tradition

About Our Cooperative

Empowering local women artisans and preserving centuries-old Northern Moroccan weaving & craft heritage since 2011.

Established 2011 · Jbel Lahbib, Northern Morocco

Jabal Al Habib Women's Craft Cooperative

Born from a deep passion for ancestral craft and women's empowerment, the Jabal Al Habib Women's Craft Cooperative was officially established in 2011. It unites skilled artisans from the Jbel Lahbib region and the wider north of Morocco under one name and one mission: to keep traditional Moroccan crafts alive for future generations.

What began as a small circle of 7 dedicated founding members has grown into a vibrant network of more than 25 collaborators, including craftswomen from across the Kingdom's northern regions. Together, they weave, embroider, knit, sew and crochet — bridging the past and the present with every stitch.

Coopérative Féminin d’Artisanat Jbel Lahbib

Women's Craft Cooperative Jabal Al Habib

Jabal Al Habib—Tetouan—Morocco

2011 Founded
2011

Year Founded

7

Founding Members

25+

Collaborators at Peak

13+

Official Certifications

Najat Afilal Al-Saghir

The Visionary Behind the Cooperative

Najat Afilal Al-Saghir

President & Co-Founder — Jabal Al Habib Women's Craft Cooperative

From an early age, Najat Afilal Al-Saghir immersed herself in the traditional crafts of northern Morocco, mastering the intricate techniques of knitting, weaving and embroidery that have been passed down through generations in the Jbel Lahbib region.

Her first formal qualification was awarded in 1988 by the Ministry of Traditional Crafts and Social Affairs — a certificate that marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to preserving Moroccan heritage. Through years of persistent learning and community work, she transformed that dedication into something lasting: a formal cooperative that gives voice and platform to the skilled women of the region.

"Traditional crafts are not just products — they are the living memory of our culture. Every piece we create tells the story of our land and our women."

Under her leadership since 2011, the cooperative has received over 13 official certificates of participation from national and regional authorities, representing Jbel Lahbib at events organized by the Ministry of Traditional Industry, provincial councils, and professional artisan federations across Morocco.

Our Journey

1988

First Formal Qualification

Najat Afilal Al-Saghir receives her official certificate from the National Cooperation Authority / Ministry of Traditional Crafts, Rabat — recognizing her mastery of traditional craft at the Jbel Lahbib centre.

2011

Cooperative Founded

The Jabal Al Habib Women's Craft Cooperative is officially established with 7 founding members from the Jbel Lahbib region. Initial crafts: knitting and crochet.

2012

First National Recognitions

The cooperative participates in and receives multiple official certificates: the 1st, 2nd and 7th editions of social entrepreneurship and traditional craft events organized by the city of Tetouan (Sept, Oct & Nov 2012).

2013

Regional & National Events

Participation in the 9th Youth & Local Development Festival (Tetouan, Nov 2013) and a national crafts event in Tetouan (June 27, 2013), expanding the cooperative's presence across the northern region.

2014

National Federation Recognition

The cooperative receives a certificate from La Fédération Professionnelle d'Artisanat d'Ouarzazate (Apr 4–15, 2014) and participates in the 9th edition of traditional craft cooperatives events (Sept 25, 2014).

2015–2016

National Traditional Crafts Week

Official participation in the National Week of Traditional Crafts, 2nd Edition (Dec 17–23, 2015) and 3rd Edition (July 22–31, 2016), organized by the Ministry of Traditional Industry, Social Economy & Solidarity — under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

2018 – Today

Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Region

The cooperative is formally recognized by the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regional council and continues to represent Jbel Lahbib at regional events, while expanding its network to include craftswomen from across the north of the Kingdom.

Official Recognitions & Certifications

Certificates awarded by national ministries, regional councils and professional federations

1988

National Craft Qualification Certificate

Official qualification certificate from the Ministry of Traditional Crafts & Social Affairs, Rabat — recognizing mastery of traditional craft following study at Jbel Lahbib centre.

Ministère de l'Artisanat, Rabat

Jul 2012

1st Mobile Artisan Market Session

Official certificate of participation in the 1st session of mobile artisan markets in northern Morocco (01/07/2012).

Délégation de l'Artisanat

Dec 2012

Regional Social & Solidarity Economy Fair

Official certificate of participation in the regional exhibition for social and solidarity economy, Tetouan (16/12/2012).

Province de Tétouan

Jun 2013

Crafts Regional Exhibition, Tetouan

Official certificate of participation in the regional traditional craft exhibition, Tetouan (27/06/2013).

Chambre d'Artisanat de Tétouan

May 2014

Ouarzazate Traditional Craft Federation

Certificate awarded by La Fédération Professionnelle d'Artisanat d'Ouarzazate during National Craft Week (04/05/2014).

Fédération d'Artisanat Ouarzazate

Aug 2014

9th Regional Exhibition of Handicrafts

Certificate of participation in the 9th regional showcase of artisan cooperatives and traditional crafts (25/08/2014).

Ministère de l'Artisanat et de l'Économie Sociale

Oct 2015

National Crafts & Social Economy Fair

Official certificate of participation in the national crafts and social economy fair representing Jbel Lahbib (17/10/2015).

Conseil Provincial & Ministère de l'Artisanat

Dec 2015

National Week of Traditional Crafts — 2nd Edition

Official certificate from the Ministry of Traditional Industry — 2nd National Week of Traditional Crafts (23/12/2015), under High Royal Patronage.

Ministère de l'Artisanat

Jul 2016

National Week of Traditional Crafts — 3rd Edition

Official certificate from the Ministry of Traditional Industry — 3rd National Week of Traditional Crafts (31/07/2016), under High Royal Patronage (Minister Fatima Marouane).

Ministère de l'Artisanat

Dec 2017

National Week of Traditional Crafts — 4th Edition

Official certificate honoring continued excellence in traditional weaving and artisan empowerment during the 4th edition (31/12/2017).

Ministère de l'Artisanat

May 2018

Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council Fair

Official certificate from the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima regional council recognizing the cooperative's contribution to traditional industry (06/05/2018).

Région Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma

Aug 2018

Regional Exhibition of Traditional Industry

Certificate of participation in the regional artisan cooperative fair in northern Morocco (12/08/2018).

Chambre Régionale d'Artisanat

Our Traditional Crafts

From humble beginnings with knitting and crochet to a full portfolio of ancestral arts

Knitting

Knitting

The founding craft of the cooperative, practiced since the very first day by all founding members.

Crochet

Crochet

Traditional crochet techniques producing home textiles, decorative items and accessories.

Weaving

Weaving

Traditional Moroccan loom weaving added during the cooperative's growth phase to expand the range.

Embroidery

Embroidery

Intricate hand embroidery applying traditional northern Moroccan patterns onto fabric and garments.

Traditional Sewing

Traditional Sewing

Crafting traditional Moroccan garments and home textiles using time-honoured sewing methods.

Modern-Traditional Style

Modern-Traditional Style

Fusing traditional Moroccan designs with modern fashion cuts — reviving heritage for today's market.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

To preserve Moroccan traditional craftsmanship by providing a fair and supportive environment where women artisans can thrive, develop their skills, and achieve financial independence through the creation of authentic, high-quality products.

Our Vision

To be recognized nationally and internationally as a leading model of cultural preservation, community empowerment and sustainable artisanal excellence rooted in the heritage of northern Morocco.