Indigo cactus (Morocco, Fez)

In Fez , in the alleys of the medina, cactus silk —also called sabra —is dyed with indigo using an ancient process. This plant fiber, extracted from the agave plant , is spun by hand before being immersed in vats where indigo leaves ferment. Unlike animal silk, sabra requires no worms: it is a vegan , hypoallergenic, and naturally shiny textile. This deep, almost mineral blue is one of the rarest and most durable in the textile world.

Beyond Morocco , other countries are also exploring this fiber: Mexico , with sisal and henequen for more raw uses; India , which is integrating it into eco-responsible ranges; Tunisia and Burkina Faso , where cooperatives are emerging that combine artisanal innovation and sustainability.

The sabra is more than a textile: it is a link between cultures, arid climates and ecological traditions.