Morocco’s centuries‑old caftan tradition was on full display this week as the 26th edition of Caftan Week opened in Marrakech,celebrating a craft that remains woven into the daily life of the Kingdom and recently earned international recognition from UNESCO.
Held at the historic Palais El Badi under the theme “Souffle de l’Atlas” -or breeze of the Atlas- the event gathered more than 1,000 attendees,including designers,artists and public figures,for a showcase of Moroccan haute couture rooted in national heritage.
Twelve Moroccan designers presented collections inspired by the Atlas Mountains,drawing on landscapes,memory and identity that have shaped the evolution of the caftan across generations.
The celebration comes months after UNESCO inscribed the “Moroccan caftan: art,traditions and skills” on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 10,2025,recognizing not only the garment but the craftsmanship and knowledge surrounding it.
In Morocco,the caftan is a living craft present in homes and workshops across the country,passed down from mothers to daughters and from master artisans to apprentices.
The skills involved include weaving,embroidery,tailoring and decorative finishing. They are all maintained through daily practice,ensuring continuity across centuries.
The caftan remains a central element of Moroccan social life,worn during weddings,religious celebrations and major family events. Its enduring presence across regions reflects a diversity of styles.
UNESCO’s recognition is widely viewed in Morocco as validation of a living tradition sustained through uninterrupted practice rather than a recent cultural claim. The inscription acknowledges the caftan as a “total social fact,” embedded in Moroccan identity,economy and community life.
United News - unews.co.za