TRADITIONAL CRAFTS IN THE ZYANID PÉRIOD THE CRAFT OF EMBROIDERY AS AN EXAMPLE

Tlemcen is considered one of the most important industrial cities in Algeria, rich in its traditional crafts throughout the ages, particularly the craft of embroidery, which was considered one of the main industries to the Zyanid period. Indeed, the sultans had a great interest in these trades which met their needs, such as making clothes, saddles, mattresses, etc. Sultan Abu Hamo Musa II paid particular attention to this craft and valued its owners, placing them in a social rank immediately lower than that of nobles and jurists. At this time, the artisan class achieved a distinguished place in Tlemcenian society. What is worth mentioning is that the Andalusians helped bring a lot of technical know-how to the Zyanid artisans, which increased the progress and development of the embroidery craft in Algeria in general and to Tlemcen in particular. This intervention raises a few questions: What is the origin of this craft? How did it arrive in Algeria? Did it exist in Algeria before the Zyanid period? What are the most decorative shapes with which royal clothing was embroidered? What were they referring to? What is its relationship to rituals and myths?.