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:
What is a Berber Rug?
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.
Firstly, a word about styles of rugs you may have heard of made by all the tribes:
Kilims
- Flat-woven rugs with no pile;
- Intended to be lightweight & easily transported by nomadic tribes;
- Well suited to warmer climates;
- Often also used as wall-hangings or covers for futons.
Boucherouite Rugs
- Rag rugs, usually from pieces of recycled clothing or fabric;
- Relatively new technique, from mid-20th century;
- Unique tactile quality, the technique is also sometimes combined with weaving or knotting for additional texture effects.
Handira (sometimes called Handoura)
- 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.
Now let’s turn to the main types of Berber Rugs which we sell here at Marrakech Bazaar.
What is an Azilal Rug?
- 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.
What is a Beni Ourain Rug?
- The Beni Ourain tribe resides in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco;
- Rugs are made from undyed 100% sheep’s wool;
- Only colours are from natural fleeces, so ivory, cream, brown, grey and black;
- Warm, durable medium to thick knotted pile – they are soft and fluffy;
- Striking dark geometric designs of diamonds, zigzags and lines on a light background;
- Designs are often asymmetrical and can also feature traditional symbols and naïve human figures.
What is a Boujad Rug?
- The Boujad (sometimes written ‘Boujaad’) area of Morocco is a wide area of the Central Plains;
- Rugs made by Berber tribes in this region are either flat-woven (kilim) or have a pile;
- However, rugs are woven with a tighter knot that other styles of Berber Rug, which means less wool is used, but geometric designs are clearer;
- Colours are usually warm red, pink and orange colours from natural dyes made of flowers, berries and henna;
- Designs featuring in traditional Boujad Rugs are geometric shapes and lozenges surrounded by decorative borders, checked patterns and large blocks of colour;
- Some modern boujad designs are very creative, featuring very bright colours, tribal symbols, animals and abstract patterns.
What is a Taznakht Rug?
- These rugs are woven by numerous tribes from the High Atlas region but for whom the town of Taznakht central to the rug-weaving industry;
- High-quality, finely spun 100% sheep’s wool;
- Traditional designs have striking, geometric shapes;
- Wool used in rugs is dyed with vibrant contrasting colours, using plant such as madder, henna, indigo & saffron;
- Flat-woven (they are a kilim rug) and often double-sided – so you can use them on either side.
We hope you enjoyed finding out about traditional Moroccan Rugs. Please have a look at what we have on offer in our online store, or contact us to discuss your bespoke requirements, or if you have any other questions.
