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The different types of Amazigh carpets

Each Amazigh tribe is characterized by its own pattern and its own style of carpet. There are different types of Amazigh carpets. For example, the carpets of the Beni Ouarain are distinguished by a minimalist style with a white background and black diamond shapes, while the carpets of Azilal are presented in several colors, the carpets of the Beni M'guild with a main color (orange, pink or blue). There are also several other tribes, each of which is characterized by its own style, such as the Boucherouites, the Boujads, the Talsint, and the Zaiane. So, in this article, we try to answer this question: What are the Different Types of Moroccan Rugs?

The different types of Amazigh carpets

The different types of Amazigh carpets

The different types of Amazigh carpets

The different compositions of the Amazigh carpet

Choosing the material for your Berber carpet is considered the most important step in your carpet buying process. The materials have different costs and especially a different quality and life span. So the choice can be made between wool, cotton, or synthetic?

The Amazigh wool carpet

Traditionally, wool is the fiber by which Berber carpets are made in all regions of Morocco. It is one of the natural fibers derived from sheep and is characterized by its resistance and incomparable quality. It is necessary to distinguish that a wool carpet can preserve a whole life. This is why Mouchaart presents its entire collection of 100% natural wool carpets.

The Amazigh carpet in cotton

Cotton is a natural material found in theberber carpets. It is a very practical material, enhancing the permeability of your carpet, and is characterized by easy cleaning. These cotton carpets can be kept for up to 20 years.

Synthetic Amazigh carpets

This type of carpet is the most common type found in the markets. It is not a handmade carpet. They are the cheapest and of lower quality. Synthetic fiber tangles and crushes more easily than wool. And it attracts dirt and makes the carpet difficult to clean. This type of synthetic carpet is a solution if you are looking for a cheap carpet that you can keep for a few years.

The different types of Amazigh carpets

Amazigh carpets are the most important and representative category of Moroccan carpets on an international scale. It is a typical production of the Atlas region, with several decorations and motifs specific to each tribe. We can distinguish them as follows:

The Ait-Ouaouzguite carpet Ait-Ouaouzguite is a tribe of the region of Taznakht, the High Atlas of Morocco, which is made with sheep wool well worked. This carpet is distinguished by bright colors and geometric patterns well organized and arranged.

–          The carpets of the Middle Atlas : This is the region of Meknes Rabat. In the middle Atlas, there are several tribes, such as: tribe ZemmourZaer, Zaiane, Bani Mtir, Ait SgougouBeni Mguil, etc.. Their carpets are best known for their white and silky velvet. The knots reach in some cases 10 cm high or more. The use of the carpets differs according to the need, it can be used as mattresses, covers and as a simple decoration with rhombuses. The name of the carpets in the Middle Atlas is " achdif" . The weaving methods differ according to the tribes but the principle remains the same;

–          Berber carpet Beni Ouarain : Originally from the Middle Atlas region, the Beni Ouarain carpet is woven, in a traditional way, into a large white carpet with brown designs. It is a thick carpet, which allows to keep the heat and is more comfortable.

The Ouarain carpets are decorated, in a traditional way, with graphic motifs. They are black or dark lines, more or less thick, creating designs such as triangles, diamonds or squares. Each design has a particular meaning. For example, the diamond represents women and fertility.

–          The carpet of the High Atlas : The carpets of the High Atlas are woven in the same way as the carpet of the city. They are also called carpets Ait Ouaouzguite, the name of a tribe that is located between Ouarzazate and Taznakht ;

–          The Glaoua carpet from the High Atlas This type of carpet combines three textile manufacturing techniques, namely: knotted stitches, tapestry and flat weaving in symmetrical windows. The handmade rugs are woven and knotted. It is a unique style combining different weaving arts: weaving, knotting and embroidery. Amazigh women stretch threads on each side, double them and then tie them together to create a bag for their journey. The color of the wool is natural; 

–          Carpet of Haouz of Marrakech : It is a rural carpet. The carpet tribes that knot this type of carpet around Marrakech are almost all of Arab origin (Rehamma carpet, H'mar carpet, Oulad Bouseba carpet). The carpets of the High Atlas are distinguished by their sizes, colors and patterns.

Tapis  Kilim: The kilim carpet is a woven carpet using pure sheep's wool. It is characterized by a traditional design that endures. It is a Berber secret of the art of weaving for nearly 10,000 years and are now highly valued for interior decoration.

Unlike other types of carpet that are soft and fluffy to the touch, The Kilim carpet is characterized by a rigidity, firmness and solidity: a shaved cut, as well as a certain lightness. It is a carpet with sublime mixtures of bright colors Orange, red, yellow, turquoise, black, white... It's an explosion of colors!

The Berber carpet Azilal The The Berber carpet Azilal is a carpet from southern Morocco, whose origin is the region of Azilal bearing the name. They are wool carpets, handmade with alternating patterns.

The Azilal carpets are distinguished by variables graphic patterns, which almost appear to be hand-drawn. These patterns are much less regular and much more creative and free and come in many forms, for example: squares, colored spots, zigzags, diamonds, triangles and lines. Regarding the colors, there are more shades than on other carpets: red, yellow, blue, orange, green, purple ... These are real pieces of art ! For the tribes of the High Atlas, the Azilal carpet is an intimate piece: there is one per family, woven in a special way for the house.

Amazigh carpets of Boucherouite : Many low-income Amazigh families who could not afford to buy wool but owned a large loom as a family fortune. All the unused fabric was then washed, cut and recycled into the carpet. This is how the first Boucherouites were born. They are also used when a family wants to sit and prepare food or listen to a storyteller. If there are young children in the house, this rug is perfect to be placed in the house.

Women often follow the liberty style and sew these rugs in asymmetrical patterns that add a touch of luxury with rich, vibrant colors. The colors and patterns of Boucherouite Moroccan rugs are not unlike those of Paul Klee or Gustave Klimt.

In an article written by Holland Cotter and published by the New York Times, the journalist describes the Boucherouite Amazigh carpet in the following terms

"The style in question is called Boucherouite, a word derived from a Moroccan-Arabic expression for torn and reused clothing. The rugs he describes, made by women for domestic use, are essentially variations on the humble rag rug, without humility. With their zany patterns and bright colors, these household items look as if they were made for the party; they seem more suited to framing than tramping.

This style has developed fairly recently as a result of socio-economic changes. Since the mid-twentieth century, nomadic life in Morocco has seriously declined and wool production from sheep farming has been greatly reduced. However, during the same period, Berber culture has attracted the attention of the world market and Berber rugs have been in increasing demand. "

And goes on to describe this wacky and innovative style as follows:

"Beautiful" is not exactly the word for these things; I'm not sure what it is. Some of them are gaudy and weird, but their exuberance is irresistible. Much more resistant is some of the promotional rhetoric surrounding them, a kind of high-end version of the hard-sell souk, most of it derived from a slim catalog produced by the Austrian merchant Gebhart Blazek, who first put butcher's shop on the map, and with whom Cavin-Morris collaborated on the show. " 

You are now professionals of the Berber carpet You only need to choose yours from our shopping collection!

So, this article is what you will need to know your next Berber carpet in your interior. For more information about interior design, please visit our blog.

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