Everyone who has visited Morocco at least once has been struck by the lively or muted colors of the rugs. Many now shop for a piece of artisanship to decorate their own house. In this blog, we will explore Moroccan rug history and types.
Quick history of Moroccan Carpets.
While we are mostly using these rugs now for decoration purposes, their history is to be traced back as far as the 7th century. At that time local Berber tribes started to manufacture these rugs, and are still doing it today.
Today some rugs are still created in a traditional way, and on the same weaving looms. Every model is unique: it will differ depending on which tribe weaved it. These traditions are passed from mother to daughter through generations: Berber women are therefore telling the stories of their culture through the weaving of these pieces of art. Each rug is a reflection of the history of the region and the tribe that produces it.
It is true that some rug qualities today may have diminished due to the rise of industrial production. And yet most of the rural mountain regions have kept their tradition alive: in these remote regions, you will find the most beautiful and sought-after rug.
A region, a rug!
Rugs are weaved with sheep wool and have many usages. They are used as clothing, funeral coverage, and mattresses. The wool sheep are first spun manually. Then different pigments from natural origin (fruits, minerals, leaves, herbs, spices…) are used to dye the fibres.
There are many techniques used to produce a rug: weaving, knotting and embroidering. Depending on the techniques used, rugs will be either comfortable, soft and warm or fancy, colourful and original.
There are three main types of Berber rugs:
– Beni Ouarains rugs: they have black geometrical motifs on white surface, they are woven with a thick wool.
– Azizal rugs: they are livelier, colorful and they are woven with a shorter wool height.
– Boucherouïte rugs: they are made up of recycled fabrics and are usually very colourful.
Each Moroccan region has its tribes and different rugs. With more than a dozen of tribes, the Central Atlas has a very broad diversity of rugs.
– Azizal rugs. They are produced in the region of Beni Mellal. They are very colourful and vibrant. The coluor used depends on the season during which they are woven.
– Beni Ouarain rugs. The eponymous tribe living in the Central Atlas mountains produces them. Their distinctiveness lies in the the thickness of the wool used and the natural ivory and black colors of the wool. The motifs are refined and geometrical.
– Boujaad rugs. Two mains things differentiate them from others rugs: they are made up of lively and fun colours and they have a vintage look.
– Beni M’Guild rugs. They are produced during the harsh winters of the Atlas mountains. Thus, their thickness is what make them unique. Asthetically speaking, they have geometrical motifs scattered randomly over a bright background (red, orange, indigo, magenta or pink…)
– Beni M’rirt rugs. They are produced in the Khenifra region known for its harsh winter as well. Their rugs are a reflection of the weather: very warm, comfortable and with a thick weaving. They are usually off-white or blue with Beni Ouarains’s looking motifs.
– Zemmour rugs. Produced mainly through tying techniques, they are usually red, orange or yellow.
Many other rugs come from Central Atlas including Ait Youssi rugs, Guerrouane rugs and Oulmes rugs.
The High Atlas has its share of rugs as well such as the Glaoua rugs produced by the Aït Ouaouzguites tribe living between Taznakhet and Ouarzazate.
Last but not least, South Morocco has a very rich rug culture as well. One of the jewel of the region is the Taznakht rug. It can take up to 9 months of work due to the tight knotting style. Its fibers are dyed with saffron, mint, henna, making it a very rich and sought after rug.
Come visit our shop and find you will find a selection of some of the best Moroccan rugs!
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