The jolts of an artisanal wealth

Rabat. Rue des Consuls. It is noon. Stalls of various sizes are scattered on either side of this historic alley partially penetrated by the rays of the sun. Multicoloured objects catch the eye: djellabas, pottery, babouches, etc., but what attracts attention are the carpets.Once spread directly on the ground, these carpets are now preciously stored inside the stalls because of the street redevelopment work. Inside a shop, the smell of dust fills the atmosphere. A situation surely due to the time many carpets have remained without being sold."The sale of carpets is no longer working as before. The business is going from bad to worse. Today, I have trouble selling one piece a day as was customary," laments Noureddine, a 49-year-old seller present on the premises since 1993. Well settled in his bazaar while waiting for the rare customer, this merchant points the finger at the crisis. "It i…