Of caftan Moroccan in zellige of Tetouanpassing through the bijoux TazerziteMorocco is determined to protect its cultural heritage and assert its rights on the international stage. The State Secretariat in charge of Crafts and the Social Economy has just registered ten trademarks with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC), the last step before their filing with the European Union, in the United States, Canada and Africa in the countries of the ECOWAS. “This is a major step forward for the protection of our heritage,” confides a source within the State Secretariat. This approach brings to 75 the total number of certification label and collective mark filings recorded by the institution.
From caftan to zellige, heritage under high protection Among the eight new registered trademarks is the “Moroccan caftan», label which certifies production using traditional artisanal methods. The zellige of Tetouan, with its ornamental patterns and characteristic geometric designs, also benefits from specific protection, both for covering tiles and for architectural decorative elements. The initiative also includes three simple brands for zellige and Moroccan haute couture, registered in three languages – Arabic, French and Amazigh – testifying to the cultural wealth of the Kingdom.
An approach to preservation and valorization Two renewals complete this deposit: the “Tazerzite” brand for silver jewelry from the Souss-Massa region, and “Idoukan N Oudrar» for artisanal slippers from the same region. “These certifications aim to guarantee the authenticity and quality of our artisanal products,” explains a manager from the same ministerial department. This protection strategy meets a dual objective: preserving the ancestral know-how of artisans while improving the recognition and notoriety of Moroccan products on international markets. An initiative which should help to promote the work of the thousands of artisans who perpetuate these centuries-old traditions.
Morocco
