Casablanca- Lahssen Moqana

Exports of traditional Moroccan clothing to Algeria increased by 97 percent in 2017, reaching $18.8 million with 9 percent of total Moroccan exports to Algeria.

This comes at a time Morocco's exports to Algeria fell by 16 percent, $205 million, during the same period in 2017.

About 88 percent of Morocco's traditional clothing exported to Algeria accounted were women's clothing.

Algerian demand for Moroccan traditional dresses of all types has recently increased, especially during religious and family holidays. This indicates that cultural ties between the two peoples were not affected by political tensions and the continued closure of land borders since 1994.

In recent years, it has been noted that some traditional Moroccan customs have been introduced into the Algerian society, such as wedding traditions and preparations that precede the ceremony.

These customs began in western Algeria, especially in Tlemcen, before spreading to the rest of the cities.

Some of the Moroccan traditions adopted by Algerians are the “Neggafates” and the “Amariya”.

Amariya is a kind of decorated hodgepodge where the couple sits. It is then lifted by four men and paraded around the room so that everyone can see them. Dancing begins as traditional folk tunes and special songs of the occasion are played. The songs usually describe the beauty of the bride and her upbringing.

Neggafates are women who are experts in dress, makeup, hair styling and many more bridal necessities. They play a huge role in making sure everything is just right and the wedding simply cannot take place without them.

Neggafates also help the bride with changing her clothes and accessories several times during the wedding. Each time the bride parades the gifts she received from the groom and her traditional dresses that are modeled after Moroccan traditional wear. Some families also choose ready-to-wear costumes.