SOUK in the CITY’s all time favorite cooperative-made button keyhangers ❤️

Women artisans master the technique of making jacquard-style buttons used on the djellaba, a traditional Moroccan caftan.
Making djellaba buttons is a tedious process requiring a steady hand and considerable talent. Women learn this skill while young, usually from their mothers or grandmothers. Using a simple needle, the women knot the rayon into incredibly intricate buttons. One button alone can take four to ten minutes to make depending on the maker’s skill level.

The knotted buttons are not only beautiful, but tell a story of empowerment and independence. The artisans, through button-making, contribute substantially to their family’s income while maintaining a household and raising children.

Sefrou’s Jewish population used to dominate the button making industry until the 1960’s when the majority of Jews immigrated to Israel, passing the burgeoning market and their skills on to their Muslim friends and neighbours.

The buttons come in different styles, each with their own name usually based on a well-known item it resembles. Bstilla refers to a traditional pastry, Semma refers to a traditional gold embroidered slipper, shems refers to the sun.

Our SOUK in the CITY keyhangers are made entirely by hand of bundles of colorful Semma buttons. They make them just for us - so we support the women in their craftsmanship and you support them by ordering these unique accessories. Beautiful as a keyhanger but also to accessorize your bag or a door handle. All are bright and unique in color combinations. A @soukinthecity musthave 🤩