This past week, I was able to interview Si Mohamed, a sculptor that I first met in Meknes, Morocco in 2017. It was my first time coming to Morocco, and we were taken on a tour of the medina. Meknes is known for is Damascene metalwork, something that can only be found in Meknes. This is a must-see when you visit Meknes! Si Mohamed is a sculptor of this special kind of metal. He used a small hammer and silver thread to carve intricate designs into metal objects before they are darkened and polished.
Si Mohamed: Everyone calls me Si Mohamed*
* "Si" is added to an elderly gentlemen's name in Morocco as a sign of respect. It may be rude to ask for a person's full given name.
Si Mohamed: I live in the medina in a riad. It was my grandfather's place (in Morocco, houses are often passed down to family members). Now it's my son's place, and he lives there too with his wife and children.
Jane's Commentary: In my previous article about the medinas of Morocco, I mentioned how old riads and dars are! Nowadays, it is not easy or cheap to buy a riad or dar in a medina, so families continue to pass the properties down to younger family members, just as Si Mohamed's family has done.
