Women's Cooperative of Aït Bououli

High Atlas Mountains


This is a 40-member cooperative that takes every aspect of carpet-making into its own hands: tending and shearing sheep; carding and spinning fluffy lambswool into yarn; and collecting plants to dye yarn rich hues. Look for a sign pointing just off the valley road around 2.5km west of Sebt Aït Bououli, below the village of Assameur.

The members also take turns minding the shop, so you’ll be buying carpets from the woman who made it, her sister or her neighbour. If you find the door closed, which is likely as the opening hours are somewhat of a suggestion, just call the director and she’ll come down from the village to open the small storeroom.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby High Atlas Mountains attractions

1. Sebt Aït Bououli

1.45 MILES

The small village of Sebt Aït Bououli, located on bend in the road at the centre of the valley, trekkers can spend the night or stock up on food for their…

2. Zawiya of Sidi Moussa

11.54 MILES

For a spectacular sunset, climb the steep but straightforward trail up to the zawiya (shrine) of Sidi Moussa, a local marabout (saint), on a conical…

3. Sunday Souq

12.27 MILES

The valley's weekly market takes place on Sunday and offers a great insight into valley life. Traders and shoppers start arriving in Tabant on Saturday…

4. Dinosaur Footprints

18.43 MILES

Geologists claim that tracks imprinted in exposed rock in the village of Tabalout are in fact footprints of the Megalosauripus from the Middle to Upper…

5. Lac Izoughar

22.17 MILES

At the very upper (northeastern) end of the Aït Bougmez Valley, the seasonal Lac Izoughar is a favoured watering hole for the nomadic Aït Atta tribe…

6. Boughlou Pottery Village

23.09 MILES

Pottery sits on display along sunny roadsides all the way through Boughlou, whose craftsmen are known in this region for their work. Visit to buy straight…

7. Cascades d'Ouzoud

28 MILES

The many-tiered Cascades d’Ouzoud are stunningly beautiful, with several distinct falls, the largest a massive 100m drop. The area is also one of the most…