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Moroccan Rugs

How to recognise a Berber Rug

So you’re looking for a new rug. Your Instagram timeline is full of beautiful rugs in stylish homes, but which to choose?  Oriental or Turkish?  Zapotec or Kashmiri?  Of course, our expertise is in Moroccan Rugs, but did you know there is more than one type of Moroccan Rug?

The ancient city of Marrakech is where our family business started, and also the major trading centre where Berber people bring their rugs for sale.  Let us tell you a little about the different kinds of Berber Rugs you can get from the different tribal regions and each of them have a particular look which you will soon be able to recognise. Here’s a list of the main styles of Berber Rugs we have at Marrakech Bazaar – keep scrolling down or click on the links below for more information:

A Berber Rug is the general name for the rugs made by the Berber people who live in and around the Atlas Mountains of Morocco in Northern Africa. There are numerous different Berber tribes, who make their traditional rugs using techniques, patterns, symbols & motifs unique to their own tribe. However, all Berber Rugs we sell here at Marrakech Bazaar have the following features:

  • Handmade using centuries-old techniques on traditional looms;
  • Rugs are knotted or woven by skilled tribal women;
  • Usually only one side has tassels. These are made when the warp threads are cut on traditional looms after weaving;
  • 100% natural fibres – the weaving or knotting is from sheep’s wool;
  • 100% natural vegetable colours;
  • They last for many years, and vintage rugs are treasured heirlooms;
  • No two rugs are identical, like a work of art.
  • Made as a wedding gift – often called a ‘wedding blanket’;
  • Flat-woven (kilim);
  • Made from fine wool or cotton;
  • Embellished with sequins, tassels or pieces of fabric (boucherouite);
  • Used to cover the bridal bed, or as a wall hanging or throw.
  • Azilal region stretches from the High Atlas Mountains to the Middle Atlas;
  • 100% sheeps wool, low to medium pile;
  • Single-knotted, background usually natural cream or white colour;
  • Abstract patterns & symbols made with undyed black & brown wool; together with brightly coloured wood dyed using natural vegetable dyes from the region.

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New Website!

At a time when it is harder to travel abroad, we’re bringing the Marrakech Bazaar straight to your home via our new website.

We have many unique rugs to suit both traditional or modern decor, and beautiful hand-crafted bags made from the softest leather. Our traditional babouche gent’s slippers have proved to be very popular – look out for those appearing on this site soon!

Moroccan stall-holders will often offer you a welcoming cup of Moroccan tea poured from an exotic silver teapot, while they encourage you to browse through their selection of goods. Here at Marrakech Bazaar, you can find the exact same silver Moroccan teapots to brew your own tea and browse at your leisure.

Please join us on Instagram and Facebook, and look out for our store on Etsy too. Happy shopping!