Your senses could be overpowered while strolling through the narrow lanes of Marrakech’s old Souk by the vibrant surroundings, the enchanted entertainment found around every bend, and the aroma of flavorful spices.
Bright, vivid materials are being sold everywhere in the midst of this entrancing exhilaration If you look closely at these rugs, you will see that they are Berber rugs, also known as Moroccan Berber Rugs.The Berber carpet’s originality has been preserved in part due to Morocco’s distant position in the Mediterranean.
While some carpets, such as the Orient or Rabat carpet, are equal to the Berber Carpet in terms of quality and design, they cannot match it.Each Berber rug is intricately made and offers a vast range of colors, making it a genuine one-of-a-kind purchase.
How are Moroccan Rugs Created?
Understanding the method used to create each rug is crucial for appreciating the distinctiveness of Moroccan Berber carpets.
Berber rugs are handcrafted at home and created from the ideas of each artist, unlike Persian and Orient rugs.
Except for a tribal pattern that has been handed down through generations, there are no fixed designs or patterns used to make the carpets.
Berber carpets lacked symmetry and did not adhere to established aesthetic principles as compared to traditional Oriental rugs, which previously set the norm.
Abstract art was given a fresh appreciation at the start of the 20th century, and Berber carpets stood out in this regard since they never lost their individuality.
Moroccan carpets are made by two artists; frequently, mother and daughters, neighbors, or male pairings collaborate to create a carpet based on an idea and memory they have in their minds.
Moroccan carpet weavers are able to express their utmost creativity because of the variety in each rug’s design and pattern.
There will be a wide range of colors, patterns, and sizes because each rug maker will create rugs based on their feelings, instincts, and distinctive designs.
Moroccan Berber Carpets Possess Unique Features
Moroccan rugs come in a wide range of designs.
Their distinctiveness and distinctive characteristics are a result of Moroccan history.
Morocco has served as a nexus for historical civilizations, attracting everyone from the Phoenicians and Carthaginians to the Romans and Arabs in the seventh century AD.
This mixed background has had a significant impact on Moroccan culture and given rise to distinctive Berber rug qualities.
The following are a few key distinctions between Moroccan rugs:
Knotting Techniques: Moroccan rugs use the Berber knot, which distinguishes the carpets of the Middle Atlas, the region that has preserved the complete authenticity of the Berber carpets. No other rug processes this unique knot. Different rug varieties like the Rabat use a symmetrical knot known as the Gördes knot.
Unique Tribal Patterns: Unlike any other rug of its kind, Berber carpets are tribal and spontaneous. Morocco includes over 400 tribes, many of which have developed their textile “savoir-faire” by leveraging local fabrics and dyeing techniques. This diversity is at the origin of the myriad styles that compose the Moroccan Berber carpets. With three weaving techniques and 400 tribal groups, the sky’s the limit in terms of potential designs for your Moroccan Berber rug. You will never find the same carpet created twice, adding uniqueness and individuality to your carpet choice.
Complexity: Making a Moroccan rug is a difficult task.
Each rug must be properly made by hand utilizing the Berber knot style, which can take up to a year.
This is a labor-intensive and intricate method that is extremely dissimilar from the factory-made rugs that are so prevalent.
Embedded Symbolism: Berber rugs incorporate a variety of aspects of the weaver’s life and heritage, including spirituality, storytelling, and symbols and patterns.
Similar to abstract art, the artisan who created each symbol embedded in the Berber carpets is the only one who knows its actual meaning, however numerous scholars have attempted to decipher some of these codes.
Different Types of Moroccan Berber Rugs
There are many different Moroccan Berber carpet designs to choose from, therefore it’s important to comprehend the important Moroccan Berber rug classifications.
It’s crucial to remember that this is not a comprehensive list.
We must keep in mind that, the deeper we go into Morocco’s ancient rug-making culture, the more there is to learn—even though it may represent the primary streams.
The main distinctions among Moroccan Berber rug categories are based on the method of weaving, the area, or the tribe that made the carpet.
This categorization is flexible.
As more artists seek popular trends for inspiration, many characteristics of one or the other area may migrate and be included into rug styles.
While there are some purists who like original, unaltered designs, there are also more and more people who prefer fresh iterations.
You can group these carpets under seven major categories to condense the classification of Berber rugs, including:
1- Beni Ouarain Berber Rugs
The Beni Ouarain, one of the most well-known Berber rugs, is named after a location in the middle of Atlas.
The native wool used to create these Moroccan rugs comes from the craftsman’s own herds.
The beige color of these carpets, which is derived from the color of natural wool, and the simple lozenge-shaped pattern are its distinguishing features.
Each Beni Ouarain rug is distinctive when examined closely.
Each rug is unique.
Each rug has a distinct signature that is a result of the spontaneity with which they are created and the creativity of each artist.
Any décor is given a genuine sense of comfort and coziness by the Moroccan rugs by Beni Ouarain.
Each carpet is manufactured by a mother (or grandmother, occasionally) and a daughter in a gathering atmosphere when the two are closely reunited and have a lovely intergenerational moment. Each carpet has a unique tale.
High-quality and thick Moroccan rugs are created by Beni Ouarain.
Walking on these old carpets will make you aware of their distinctiveness.
2- Azilal Berber Rugs
Just south of the stunning Ouzoud Falls in the Atlas Mountains lies another tribal territory known as Azilal.
Wool from natural beige lambs is also used to make Azilal Moroccan rugs.
A few things set them apart from Beni Ouarain rugs:
Because the wool in this region has a different consistency and is more colorful, azilal carpets are considerably softer.
More different designs and shapes are interwoven into each rug in these Moroccan rugs.
They offer a special cachet and make your room feel festive.
3- Boujad Berber Rugs
One of the oldest cities in Morocco, Boujad, is in Khouribga Provence. Boujad Moroccan rugs are characterized by their colorful and artistic designs consisting of Berber symbols or abstract illustrations. They come consistently in natural dyes of soft red, pink, ochre, and pale orange. Boujad Berber Rugs give a natural vintage look to any room.
4- Boucherouite Berber Rugs
The name Boucherouite does not have a geographic connotation, in contrast to the other categories.
Instead, it has to do with the rug’s design and construction.
In fact, the Moroccan-Arabic word for damaged and recycled clothing or fabrics is “boucherouite.”
We might claim that these Moroccan rugs represent the resilient fashion of the Moroccan tribes.
They are distinguished by their wild hues and enthusiasm.
Through their vivid hues, Boucherouite Berber Rugs demonstrate how practicality and striking style can coexist.
5- Tazenakht Berber Rugs
From Tazenakht region, Tazenakht Berber rugs are made in the southern region of Morocco.
Tazenakht Berber rugs are long-lasting, distinctive, and covered with elaborate patterns and designs.
Tazenakht Moroccan rugs are renowned for their high quality and diverse color palette, which includes earthy yellows, ochres, and reds.
With their unique personalities and rich histories, these magnificent vintage rugs will enhance any space.
6- Aït Ouaouzguite Berber Rugs
Ait Ouaouzguite Moroccan rugs are made by the tribes of Ait Ouaouzguite confederations. Their rugs are made of silky, high-quality wool that is sourced from their own herd. Ait Ouaouzguite rugs are full of life, often found in vivid, bright colors. The carpets often tell strong traditional stories of their culture and are full of symbolism about the weaver’s life and history. These rugs are unique because they tend to bounce light off the surface, giving it a lovely sheen.
7- Marmoucha Berber Rugs
In the southern region of Morocco, in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Marmoucha Berber rugs are made.
Marmoucha Berber Rugs are heavily influenced by the design of Beni Ouarain rugs.
Bright designs on a beige or white backdrop can be found on Marmoucha rugs.
These rugs have distinctive, robust, and simple designs.
In conclusion : Moroccan Berber rugs are fashionable, distinctive, and use their design to convey an amazing tale.
No matter what style you prefer, adding one of these vintage carpets to your house will give it a special touch.
You may choose the type of carpet that works best for your home by being aware of the numerous rug varieties.
But no matter what kind of rug you pick, you can’t go wrong because they are all special and made with a lot of love.
