The Washington Times

                            A Special International Report Prepared by
                           The Washington Times Advertising Department - Published on July 2, 1999
                           [Home Page]

Advertisers

(1) Sonatrach, An International Petroleum Group

(2)Council of Privitisation

(3)Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development

(4)CNEP

(5)Group Touring Club of Algeria

(6)Groupe Enad

(7)Wines from Algeria

(8)Blanky Industry Company

(9)EFG - Hermes

(10)DHL Worldwide Express

(11)Enterprise De Travaux Publics Batiments & Hydraulique

(12)Office National des Aliments du Betail (ONAB)

(13)Hotel El Djazaïr

(14)Halliburton Company

(15)Algeria National Enterprise for Tourism

(16)Investment Promotion, Support and Monitoring Agency, APSI

(17)Hôtel El-Aurassi

(18)Saïdal Group

(19)Mechanical Public Holding

(20)ENCG

(21)Sonatrach, Partnership the strategic choice

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A Special International Report Prepared by The Washington Times
Advertising Department

Written by:
Rod Craig

Propject Director:
Hala Nasreddine

Photography by:
Rod Craig

For more information, call
The Washington Times International Advertising Department
at (202) 636-3035
(202) 635-0103 fax
e-mail: natlad@wt.infi.net

A Rich Heritage in Arts and Crafts

15-5.gif (28466 bytes) Algeria has a thriving handicrafts industry. Part of the charm of the country is the richness of its production. From carpets to ceramics, from leather to lute making, from pottery to glassworking to silverwork, the country has a tremendous variety of skills that produce goods which are sold in many other countries as well as to tourists.

One such thriving industry is carpetmaking. Wool is obtained from local sheep, goats and sometimes dromedaries to make the carpets for which the Maghreb has become famous. The carefully produced brightly-colored town carpets from Kairouan, Rabat and Setif are similar to those found in Anatolia. They come in various sizes, prayer mats, bath carpets, saddle rugs, footrugs.

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Country produced carpets have strong deep colors, still used as blankets during the cold nights, often made by the tribes in the Atlas. Haracta carpets from Aures are difficult to tell apart from Nememcha work; they come from more sedentary tribes but they have points in common with Babar carpets.

15-8.gif (29626 bytes) The range of local cloth is vast as is the embroidery carried out with metal threads on fabric or leather. Each region has its own costume and weaving styles.

Sheet copperwork is another specialty and was passed down from the Ottomans. Craftsmen produce items that are unequaled in the Arab world in Algiers, Constantine, Ghardaia, Tindouf and Tlemcen. Attractive decorative lamps with multicolor glasses can be found all over the country.

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Traditional Berber silverwork is extremely popular and some fine pieces are made with semi-precious stones and coral. Craftsmen make brooches and pendants and do enameling.

15-6.gif (23446 bytes) The Kabyle region is especially productive as is the Saharan region where the Tuaregs make a form of pendant cross, as well as earrings and other decorative jewelry.

One of the popular products on sale here is the "rose des sables" sand rose, which is a form of crystalline structure that grows below desert sands and can reach quite huge dimensions.

Other handiwork includes ceramic tiles, and the making of cane and raffia items.

There are all types of artisans, from the man on the street corner who will engrave aluminum pots and pans for popular use, to weavers who pass hours behind their looms producing high -quality work for export.

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Techniques of production vary enormously according to region. At one time shepherds used to classify wool for carpets into 18 different categories, now it is down to eight and sometimes four.

In the Northwest the wool is washed for several hours in the sea and then weighed down by rocks and left under water. Afterwards it is laid out under the sun to dry.

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Many tourists like to buy items made of coral from the reefs of the country's coasts . Although the Italian divers who used to constitute the main source have abandoned the trade because of security problems, there are still many objects available.

Among the favorite objects are touareg swords, long and ornately decorated, in leather, copper and often animal horn.

Table of Contents

(1) His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria

(2) Country has resources and potential and is moving toward peace

(3) History

(4) Stability predictable for Algeria

(5) Terrorism is costly - in lives and finances

(6) Political Parties

(7) Despite being free, press sometimes is silenced

(8) Local bidders and foreign investors being courted

(9) Despite previous problems, economic future is bright

(10) Institutions