Tiznit: The Moroccan Capital of Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry can be found in different regions of the world, but the city of Tiznit is considered as the heart of the Moroccan silver craftsmanship. Here are some facts about the silver city of Tiznit.

Tiznit is an old medina town located in the south of Morocco. Founded in 1881, Tiznit (or Tiznet) is situated between the Atlantic coast and the Atlas Mountains. The beautiful town is considered to be the center of Berber jewelry making techniques and is known for its use of silver. Silver jewelry is one of the richest expressions of the Berber culture. The pieces are handmade by local artisans in different cities in the south of Morocco, mainly Tiznit. In the streets of the city, there are a lot of jewelry markets where can be find a variety of handmade silver jewelry from necklaces to anklet bracelets. Indeed, in the old Medina, there are more than 150 shops specialized in selling silver jewelry. The city is filled with talent: more than 6,000 artisans in which 400 are specialized in precious metalwork.

 Also, every year, Tiznit organizes the silver jewelry festival, called Timizart, where numerous artisans are valorized. Their creations are exposed to the delight of the locals and the tourists. The Timizart festival attracts tourists and makes the city even more dynamic and attractive. It is accurate to say that the art of silver is really the heart of the city’s economy. For the artisans, crafting is more than a “job”, it’s an art and a complete passion passed on from generation to generation. With the Timizart festival, taking place every summer, the Tiznit inhabitants want to valorize their creations, maintain their power and pride in silver jewelry’s craftsmanship for future generations.

Using secret metalwork techniques from their ancestors, the dedication of the artisans in Tiznit in creating and offering affordable quality silver pieces is quite remarkable.  Also, encouraging handmade jewelry is a beautiful way to protect artisans’ knowledge and assure their sustainability throughout times.