Tribune News Network
Doha
As part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, Qatar National Library is celebrating the centuries-old Maghribi tradition of creating books and manuscripts. Titled ‘From Material to Market: The Art of Book-Making in Morocco,’ the exhibition provides insights into the Morocco’s rich multi-faceted history of book production – from the intricate process of sourcing materials like leather and ink to the artful calligraphy and binding techniques.
Whether you’re an art or history enthusiast, the exhibition offers a fascinating journey through time into Morocco’s significant contribution to the Islamic world’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
Here are 12 interesting facts from the exhibition that will deepen your appreciation for Morocco’s art of book production.
Designed after a Historic SchoolcTypeface:> The exhibition’s design was inspired by the Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech, a historic school from the 12th century and the first of its kind to be dedicated to arts like book illumination and scribing.
Producing Ink and Dyes from Purely Natural MaterialscTypeface:>Following time-honoured traditions, manuscript illuminators sourced their colours from the natural world. Henna (producing shades of brown, often used for binding), indigo (a deep blue), saffron (a golden yellow), and gallnuts (a growth found on trees, yielding both blue and black pigments) were among the favoured plant-based dyes. Gum Arabic was added to enhance the flow and viscosity of the ink.
Perfumed InkscTypeface:> Moroccan scribes would infuse their inks with an array of aromatic ingredients—such as musk, sandalwood, orange blossom, amber, and rose water—using carefully documented recipes that elevated writing and copying into a uniquely sensory and artistic experience.
Centuries-old Recycling: Bookbinders in Morocco would sometimes cut the leather cover from an old manuscript and attach it to a new one, marking one of the oldest traditions of reusing material in book production.
An Ancient Tannery at Work:The exhibition’s feature video on tannery workers was filmed at the Chouara tannery in Fez – one of Morocco’s oldest and largest tanneries, where leather for manuscripts was traditionally treated.
Booksellers with High Ethical StandardscTypeface:> Booksellers in Morocco earned high respect for strictly adhering to ethical principles, such as fairly valuing paper produced during the demanding summer months—and thus pricing it higher—while also using high-quality ink.
Authentic Sounds of the SouqcTypeface:> The exhibition’s souq-themed audio was recorded in the bustling markets of Fez and Rabat, giving visitors a true sense of Morocco’s vibrant marketplace culture.
One of The World’s Oldest Book HubscTypeface:> The city of Fez hosted more than 400 active papermakers in the 1200s CE and boasted 30 bookshops by the 1500s CE. Bookmakers in Fez formed guilds and followed market laws codified in manuals, underlining the city’s significance as a cultural and intellectual hub.
Manuscripts as Luxury ItemscTypeface:> Manuscripts were considered luxury items in Morocco. Much like perfumes, fine textiles and precious metals, manuscripts were typically produced and sold near Friday mosques, reflecting their cultural and economic importance in society.
A Wholesale Market for Books:Al-Qarawiyyin University, one of the oldest educational institutions in the world, had a unique tradition. The university housed a funerary annex where books from deceased owners were sold every Friday at 3:00 PM at wholesale prices, providing access to literary treasures for the public.
Distinctly Moroccan ScriptscTypeface:> The Maghreb region developed its own unique calligraphic scripts, the most notable of which are "Al-Mabsout” and "Al-Mojawhar.”
The Essential Principles of Calligraphers: Calligraphers were guided by a set of principles, including sincerity of intent, performing ablution before writing, selecting a suitable time to complete the writing in one session, and maintaining consistency in the style of writing.