Rabiaa Khreis

 Algeria-In an effort to preserve Algerian heritage from the tide of modernity, artist Mariam Ziad chose to create traditional dolls from recycled materials, turning her home into a small museum showcasing authentic Algerian garments.

At a time when waves of modernity are accelerating and almost erasing the features of heritage, Algerian artist Mariam Mawalid Ziad has chosen to stand on the opposite side, carrying an artistic and humanitarian project that restores the value of traditional Algerian clothing through the creation of unique dolls made from recycled materials.

Instead of imported dolls with uniform features, Mariam Ziad presents models that carry the of place, telling stories of Algerian women across the ages.

A Home Turned into a Small Museum

In her modest home in El Qobba municipality, east of the capital Algiers, art and history intertwine in a captivating scene from the very first moment. A room that was once a simple family space has now become a home museum displaying dozens of dolls dressed in traditional outfits such as the haik, gandoura, caftan, karakou, burnous, and other symbols of Algerian identity.

Every corner of the house tells a story. The colors, fabrics, jewelry, and even the way the dolls are displayed all reflect deep passion and a sincere desire to preserve popular memory from disappearance.

Although Mariam Ziad is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and worked for years in primary education, her true passion has always been linked to dolls. She says:
“Since I was young, I loved making dolls with my own hands. I dreamed of a small museum that embodies life during the Ottoman era with all its social and cultural details. Over time, this passion turned into a real profession.”

Her departure from teaching was not the end of a career path, but the beginning of another one closer to her soul.

Karakoz Puppet Art: A Theatrical Memory Revived

She believes that doll-making is not merely an artistic craft, but an integral part of Algerian heritage and traditions. For this reason, her work has gained significant attention from puppet theater professionals, known locally as “puppet art” and “Karakoz puppetry.”

“It became so influential that colonial authorities considered its performances a form of indirect incitement to the revolution and fought it by all means out of fear of its symbolic messages and its ability to influence public awareness.”

Today, Mariam Ziad’s dolls are sought after by theater professionals, artists, heritage enthusiasts, and even tourists looking for souvenirs that reflect the true spirit of Algeria.
“These dolls attract tourists from all over the world because they represent authentic models of clothing, jewelry, and beauty accessories of Algerian women.”

A walk through her small museum reveals around 30 dolls wearing a variety of traditional garments and ornaments such as the haik, gandoura, karakou, burnous, and caftan.

What distinguishes her project is not only its heritage aspect but also its environmental dimension. She relies on simple materials available in every household—plastic bottles, caps, cups, old fabrics, and discarded textiles.
“I transform old clothes into new raw materials used to dress the dolls. Perhaps I owe this to my upbringing in a family that values traditional crafts—my mother specialized in handicrafts.”

Mariam Ziad receives orders through her social media pages from Algerians living both inside the country and abroad, as well as from heritage lovers in other countries. Despite her growing success, she still faces challenges related to lack of support and marketing difficulties. She dreams of obtaining a small shop that would facilitate her work and provide her project with a space worthy of it.