Moroccan rugs are more than just floor coverings; they are vibrant expressions of culture, history, and artistry. The beauty of Moroccan rugs is that they come in dozens of designs and colors.
What influences a rug design depends heavily on the artisan, the tribe he belonged to, and the time-frame of creation. For every type of Moroccan rug, the materials used will most of the time hint at the quality of the rug and whether it will stand the test of time.
This article will guide you through the fascinating world of Moroccan rugs, with a special focus on the unique and colorful Boujad rugs.
A Glimpse into the World of Moroccan Rugs
I grew up in a family of rug artisans. I used to watch the women of our riad weave colorful and beautiful rugs daily to sell to local carpet dealers. This indeed defined who I am.
My favorite thing to do today is to browse the Souk market, find new products and talk with artisans. The artisan world of creations is fascinating; there is always room to learn more - even for experts. Moroccan rugs are no exception.
Read also: The Allure of Blue and White Tile
Popular Moroccan Rug Styles
Without a doubt, Beni Ouarain rugs are currently one of the most trendy Moroccan rugs, attracting designers and interior decor enthusiasts with their elegant minimalism. Authentic Beni Ouarain rugs are made by the Beni Ourain tribes, a confederation of seventeen Amazigh tribes located in the area sitting between Fez, Mermoucha and Taza in the lower Middle Atlas Mountains.
These previously nomadic tribes started settling down in Jebel Bouiblane (south and southeast of the range of mountains) around the 9th century AD, bringing with them their flat weaving tradition of the Beni Ourain carpets. Traditional Beni Ourain rugs feature geometric lines of mainly X-shapes (cross) and/or lozenges.
The cross in the Berber culture is a male motif and a symbol of the metal workers who are highly respected by Berbers since metal is believed to ward off evil energy. Le Corbusier used Beni Ourain carpets when he designed Villa La Roche in Paris in 1923-25.
Moroccan Azilal rugs are the second most known Moroccan rugs behind the Beni Ourain rugs. Interestingly, Azilal carpets remained unknown to the market until the late 20th century. Traditionally, Azilal rugs were made by the matriarch of the family, following an ancestral process passed down from mother to daughter for millennia.
Like Beni Ourain rugs, these family-handcrafted rugs were meant to protect against the cold Atlas mountains winter and were only for personal use. Each piece would take weeks if not months to finish depending upon the size and complexity of the motif and color palette. Similar to Beni Ourain rugs, the design-rich Azilal rugs use an intricate combination of symbols to tell a story - that of the female artisan.
Read also: Morocco's Blue Pearl
Marriage, birth, protection, and love, are some of the themes represented in these beautiful rugs.
For clients who are environmentally savvy and gravitate toward furniture made with recycled materials, I always recommend traditional Moroccan Boucherouite rugs. Traditional Boucherouite rugs are made from used old fabric knotted together to create beautiful colorful rugs.
Women of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco make beautiful flat-woven kilims, using fantastic colors and designs. They are not as soft and thick as the other wool rugs because the nomadic tribes that make them need rugs that are easy to pack and carry.
There’s a wide range of Taznakht rug styles. They come in different designs - simple or complex - and colors either neutral or bold. Whatever your interior design preference, you will most probably find a Taznakht rug that fits your style. One of the most popular styles for these Moroccan rugs incorporates a three-dimensional design.
It is combination of three separate weaving styles: embroidery, knotting, and flat weaving to create a raised pattern.
Read also: Men's Moroccan Fashion
How Limala Weaves Moroccan Storytelling Into Rug-Making
Boujad Rugs: A Burst of Color and Creativity
Boujad, also called Boujaad rugs, are a great choice to bring color to any room. They feature beautiful Moroccan motifs and lozenges along with a mix of lines and other shapes. Traditional Boujaad rugs are made of soft, high-quality wool and, believe it or not, natural dyes.
Yes, those bright, bold colors are all-natural that come from 100% natural dyes and no artificial chemicals - like all authentic Moroccan rugs. Boujaad rugs usually come in hues of pink, red, orange, and purple.
The Art of Boujad Rug Design
The composition of Boujad rug, rich in creativity, is eye-catching. The vitality and spontaneity of the composition of these rather extravagant pieces of art prove that they are exclusively for personal use. The basic motifs of the Boujad carpet are for the most part typical Berber symbols, often distorted to the point of sometimes even obtaining a totally abstract drawing.
The audacity and creativity of the women of Boujad region allow them to create in complete liberty by incredibly combining many shapes, colours and materials. In addition to religious influences, the design of the Boujad moroccan rug is distinguished by a very modern artistic approach.
Materials and Craftsmanship
In addition to wool, stripes from cut clothing and synthetic fibres are used to make Boujaad rug. This habit of reusing materials dates back to the 1930s, when sheep herds were considerably reduced in favour of agriculture. Wool that was already dry was becoming rare.
A true spontaneous work of art, Boujad rug is endowed with imperfections giving an extraordinary artistic effect. All Boujad rug offered by Benisouk are old and unique and available in defferent sizes such as 5×8, 8×10, 9×12.
The Story Behind Boujad Rugs
The small market town of Boujad in Khouribga Province is the gateway on the Low Rug Road to the Middle Atlas Mountains, on the route to Mrirt from Marrakesh to the Mediterranean. The passing Caravan Drivers were often nomadic Saharan Berber. Their rugs were a Kilim Flatweave Design (Kilim itself is a word of Turkish origin - testament to the reach of the Saharan Berber Caravan Trains), made of the materials available in the Sahara, particularly camel wool.
Camel wool is finer than most merino (sheep wool) which can make it feel as soft as Cashmere, while being thermo-regulated to allow a breathable material that is hot in cold climates but cold in warm climates. This contrasted with the Boujad rugs which were made with fine, soft wool, more suitable for floor coverings. The passing merchants would trade their wares for rugs so that they could bring more comfort to their journeys, as Camel rugs were expensive and rare.
They would take these rugs with them, and in time they found a thriving market for them elsewhere, and so the reputation for these rugs were established long, long ago. Overtime the Berbers of the Rug Road and the Saharan Berbers exchanged their cultures and beliefs, and this merged into a common identity of shared symbols and values. The caravan drivers were expert astronomers who read the night sky to navigate through the harsh, indiscernible desert on their way to Boujad and beyond.
Over time, it became practice that the Berber tribes surrounding Boujad would travel to Boujad to sell their rugs in exchange for the manufactured goods of the towns and cities. This in turn propagated the market and festival calendars, which today is prominently seen through weekly rug markets and the annual Moussem festival which draws Berbers from surrounding areas together. Variations of the tribal rugs of the owners are displayed with great pride on the participants horses, both as a riding rug in lieu of a saddle and also as decorative adornments.
Boujad rugs are traditional tribal rugs which serve both a practical and symbolic purpose. The woollen rug provides protection from the cold nights while the red based colours are associated with exorcising evil spirits to provide spiritual protection. The geometric patterns on the rugs have particular meanings and sentiments, which have developed over time immemorial, and are usually wishing for good health, fortitude and fertility.
Berber culture has a deep connection with their rugs, and they often age gracefully with their owner before being passed on. To this day, the trade of Boujad rugs for wares continues. Benisouk is one of the few merchants who travels the Rug Road and stops in Boujad to trade essential items like cooking equipment in exchange for rugs, and in reverence to the traditions of the Caravan Trains, we continue to contribute to our culture by investing in the rug making tribes.
At Kechmara Designs, we pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge of the history and intricate design processes behind our rugs and home accessories.
With so many styles out there, finding the perfect rug to suite your needs can feel a bit daunting, so we would like to share with you the different styles of rugs we showcase, as well as some history behind the styles in an effort to make the decision process a bit easier for you.
Other Moroccan Rug Styles
A single-knot weave of wool, cotton or a combination of fibers is characteristic of the Azilal rug. As practical products, the rugs woven throughout Morocco and the Atlas Mountains tend to have varying degrees of depth and density, closely related to the need for warmth in each of the regions. The Beni M’Guild weavers tend to produce the most dense, heavy rugs due to the harsh climate.
The thick pile and more simple, tone-on-tone designs distinguish the Beni M’Guild artwork from more elaborate designs of other Moroccan weavers.
Boujad rugs hail from the region of Haouz in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. They are made with soft wool and natural dyes, and tend to feature pinks and oranges with irregular geometric patterns and designs that reflect the whim of the weaver. These vintage pieces tell the true story of Morocco and its people - they are woven with history and are a wonderful piece of 'folk' art to be passed down for years to come.
Talsint is located in the Figuig provence, north east Morocco. Here, their carpets are made by the Berber woman using traditional berber knots - typically with strong colors of red, purple and orange. Talsint rugs are known for their beautiful and irregular lines.
Traditionally used as blankets, Beni Mellal rugs originated in the Middle Atlas Mountains in northern Africa. Typically woven of natural ivory wool with a geometric black or brown pattern, the Beni Ourain style is characteristic of the nomadic Berber tribe. Often selected for bedding in this cold region, the Beni Ourain is a versatile product, suitable to be displayed underfoot, as a wall adornment, or as a heavy blanket.
Known for its thick pile construction and double-knotted weaving technique, this style is among the most durable and comfortable rugs as well. Symbolism is significant in this weaving technique.
The largest region surrounding the imperial city of Marrakech is called Rehamna. It is on these vast plains that different weaver groups create these eye-catching rugs. The Rehamna style rug is commonly known for being scattered with motifs, directional lines and chess-board elements that create a sort of bordering edge.
Popular articles:
tags: #Moroccan
