In the mountains of northern Morocco - the village of Aïn Bouchrik, master potter Aïcha has shaped clay since childhood, carrying forward a tradition now on the brink of extinction.
This visual story draws on my experience in Aïn Bouchrik, Morocco, where I worked with master potter Aïcha Tabiz of the Sless tribe.
Aïcha, now 76 and practicing since she was 13, embodies the resilience and mastery of a craft traditionally held only by women in the Rif region. From everyday vessels to building ovens and wall, finishes, ceramics have shaped community life for centuries.
Yet the tradition is vanishing. In 1950, 90 women potters worked in the Sless tribe; today, only around 5 remain, with no successors. Using only minimal tools, natural pigments, and storytelling through decoration, this practice offers lessons in sustainability, identity, and resilience.