From Azilal to Zindekh… (Part one)
For our first article we invite you to step into the colorful world of Moroccan rugs. Let's delve into the diversity of textures, patterns, and stories that grace this North African country.
Here is a non-exhaustive and alphabetical list of our favorite Moroccan rug types.
Azilal
Azilal is a city located in the central part of Morocco, in the High Atlas region, approximately 170 km from Marrakech. Azilal rugs are known for their geometric and abstract patterns, often woven with vibrant colors. These diverse motifs and colors are used to depict stories or events from the daily lives of the weavers. These rugs are made from local sheep's wool and handwoven on traditional looms. Each rug is unique, as it is the result of the artisanal work of a craftwoman. Irregularities and variations in the weaving are considered part of the charm of these rugs. The wool of Azilal rugs is shorter compared to Beni Ouarain or Mrirt rugs.
You can have a look to all our Azilal rugs here.
Beni Mguild
The Béni M'Guild region is a mountainous area in Morocco located in the Middle Atlas. It is situated south of the city of Khenifra in central Morocco. This region is known for its spectacular mountain landscapes, traditional Berber communities, and handwoven rugs.
A common decorative element in Beni Mguild rugs features diamonds, which, instead of being outlined by lines, consist of a series of small squares, giving the overall appearance of a large checkerboard. Slight changes in coloration across successive transversal areas and distinct pattern changes along the horizontal axis and at the ends eliminate any monotony.
You can have a look to all our Beni Mguild rugs here.
Beni Ourain
The Beni Ouarain are a confederation of 17 Berber tribes located in the northwestern region of Morocco, primarily in the Middle Atlas. These tribes are renowned for their production of traditional rugs, highly valued for their craftsmanship and distinctive geometric patterns.
Beni Ourain rugs are made from sheep's wool. Their natural color is off-white, but they can also feature black or brown geometric patterns. There are more sophisticated, colorful vintage Beni Ouarain rugs, which have been dyed with natural pigments and plant-based dyes.
Beni Ouarain rugs have gained worldwide fame for their minimalist aesthetic and high-quality wool.
You can have a look to all our Beni Ourain rugs here.
Boucherouite
"Boucherouite" means "rag" in Arabic. This Berber rug style emerged in the 1960s and 1970s around the cities of Beni Mellal and Boujad. However, today, you can find them in many Berber tribes in the High and Middle Atlas.
These rugs are made from recycled materials, with strips and threads of rags combined with a wide variety of worn clothing and textile materials such as wool, cotton, synthetic fibers, or nylon.
Each weaver uses this "humble" material to create a unique piece of art filled with her own memories. As a result, each Boucherouite rug is the culmination of artistic expression.
The composition of Boucherouite rugs combines a wide variety of textures, patterns, shapes, and vibrant colors to create a lively overall design.
You can have a look to all our Boucherouite rugs here.
Boujad
The town of Boujad is an important cultural center in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region.
Boujad rugs often feature shades of red, pink, orange, or purple. Their geometric patterns are typically intricate and rich, composed of Berber symbols that are sometimes distorted to the point of becoming abstract.
Like Boucherouite rugs, some Boujad rugs can be made from wool, recycled clothing, and synthetic fibers. This recycling tradition dates back to the 1930s when sheep herds were significantly reduced in favor of agriculture. That's why variations in rug thickness can be found. These "imperfections" contribute to making these rugs unique works of art, reflecting the weaver's sensibility and the environment in which she lives.
You can have a look to all our Boujad rugs here.
Kilim
The Berber Kilim rug is a historic and sophisticated example of Berber craftsmanship. Its production in Morocco commenced during the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily in the Rabat region, the Middle Atlas, and Central Morocco.
Constructed from interwoven fabrics complemented by wool and embellished with embroidery, the Kilim rug initially served as a wall hanging due to its slimmer and lighter construction in comparison to other Berber rugs. Nonetheless, its usage varies across different regions and among various tribes.
Kilim rugs are fashioned from pure wool or high-quality cotton. The materials employed are sturdy, and the wool is meticulously sheared to a low height, resulting in a compact and lightweight rug. This stands in contrast to traditional Berber rugs, which are made entirely from thick sheep's wool, making them heavier.
Influenced by Oriental Kilim rug weaving techniques, Berber women create Kilim rugs with a flat weave, although they sometimes employ a hybrid approach, revealing alternating sections of knotting alongside flat woven segments.
The color palette combines a range of natural hues, including blue, red, yellow, orange, black, and white, which are skillfully integrated with Berber motifs, lines, and stripes.
The Kilim rug seamlessly blends traditional Berber craftsmanship with oriental design influences, making it a versatile choice suitable for both vintage and contemporary interior décor.
You can have a look to all our Kilim rugs here.
Mermoucha
The land of the Marmouchas is located at the far end of the Middle Atlas. It's a region renowned for its landscapes, vast forests, and medium to high-altitude mountains.
Originally, Marmoucha rugs could reach lengths of 5 to 6 meters, serving as both a blanket and mattress for an entire family.
Marmoucha rugs are of unparalleled quality, made from 100% sheep's wool woven on traditional looms. They are authentic rugs, and their weaving technique, with knots larger than the average, gives them greater flexibility than other Berber rugs.
You can have a look to all our Mermoucha rugs here.
Mrirt
Mrirt or M'rirt rugs are crafted in the Beni Mellal-Khénifra region, in the central part of Morocco, within the Middle Atlas.
They are entirely made of high-quality sheep's wool and belong to the category of high-end Berber rugs.
Their weaving is exceptionally tight, resulting in rugs that are very dense, plush, with silky, extremely soft wool to the touch.
They can be plain or feature a wide array of patterns, ranging from more classic designs (similar to Beni Ourain rugs) to more modern options with large color blocks, for example.
These are the rugs that we offer to create custom-made with personalized size and designs.
You can have a look to all our Mrirt rugs here.