Moroccan Tree Creates Livelihood for Muslim Women

It may just be another tree for others, but for some Berber women who live in the far-away villages it is truly the “tree of life.” The nature of the pulpy shell in Argan fruit is such that it requires skill and craftsmanship to extract properly. This is where the stars of the show, Muslim Berber women, come in.

Armed with a pebble and a passion to put bread on the table, the Argan fruit is cracked open by smashing pebble with fruit to reveal a beautiful hazelnut coloured inner shell, known as the Argan nut. The show isn’t quite over just yet, as there is still one more step. Sitting inside the beautiful Argan nut is a tiny bit of Argan oil (when cold pressed) - known as the Argan kernel. It looks like an almond, and you need about 30 kg of these kernels & 15 hours of labour to make just 1 litre.

In Morocco, many centuries ago, the indigenous people known as the Berbers were known for their generosity, craftsmanship and innovative crafts from natural resources. Indeed, Morocco today is much like that of Morocco past, with many artisans, producing anything from sandals to furniture. In recent years, one of Morocco’s greatest natural inventions has come to the surface of the Western World.

In Morocco, many centuries ago, the indigenous people known as the Berbers were known for their generosity, craftsmanship and innovative crafts from natural resources. Indeed, Morocco today is much like that of Morocco past, with many artisans, producing anything from sandals to furniture. In recent years, one of Morocco’s greatest natural inventions has come to the surface of the Western World.