Moroccan style is a celebration of richness, vibrancy, intricacy, and cultural diversity.
Marrakech - Shopping for Moroccan Rugs (& buying one!)
Moroccan rugs are a testament to a mesmerizing culture, where vibrant colors and intricate patterns become a visual language for stories that span centuries. Many Moroccan rug motifs carry symbolic meanings that represent protection, fertility, and prosperity. The weaving process has long been regarded as a spiritual journey for the weaver, acting as a meditation connecting them with the natural and spirit worlds. This spiritual connection powerfully informed the design and construction of Moroccan rugs. Early motifs, still popular design elements today, were incorporated as forms of protection to ward off malignant spirits.
Origins and Cultural Significance
Originally woven by women and always by hand, Moroccan rugs connected Berber tribes with the broader world. Meticulously hand spun wool was dyed with time-honored recipes crafted from ingredients such as fruit, spices, and local minerals. Authentic Moroccan rugs remain true to their traditions. However, the significance of Moroccan heritage persists in the hand woven Moroccan-style rugs crafted by Tufenkian.
Rooted in centuries-old traditions, Moroccan-style rugs feature distinctive patterns and designs that span a diverse spectrum. Moroccan rugs originate from the Berber tribes of North Africa. Using intricate geometric patterns and rug motifs, Moroccan rugs often depict nature and tell the weaver's story.
Key Types of Moroccan Rugs
“Moroccan Rug” is a catchall term for a vast array of rug types. Here’s our guide to the major styles of Moroccan rug types:
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- Beni Ourain Rugs: Beni Ourain rugs are the pinnacle of Moroccan artisanship, known for their long pile and distinctive monochromatic geometric patterns. Originating from the Atlas Mountains, these rugs are traditionally woven by Beni Ourain tribes and reflect their nomadic lifestyle and cultural symbols.
- Azilal Rugs: With a burst of vibrant colors and abstract patterns, Azilal rugs tell unique stories through asymmetrical designs, demonstrating the individual weaver’s expression and the influence of their surroundings.
- Boucherouite Rugs: Boucherouite rugs, also known as “rag rugs,” symbolize Moroccan resourcefulness and creativity. These rugs were traditionally crafted from recycled materials, including fabric scraps, and embrace a multitude of colors and patterns.
- Kilim Rugs: While not exclusive to Morocco, Kilim rugs hold a significant place in the landscape and history of the region.
- Boujad Rugs: Boujad rugs originate from the Haouz region and are renowned for their intricate and expressive designs. Striking reds, pinks, and oranges often feature prominently. Each Boujad rug is a unique woven creation that captures the spirit and individuality of its weaver.
Other Styles of Moroccan Rugs
- Flatweave: Flatweave rugs are thin, soft, strong, and full of symbolism. They’re also called “hanbel” or “aknif” in Arabic.
- Intricate Hanbel: This style is thought to originate from the area in and around the Village of Tazenakht, a region rich with weaving history. While the majority of this weave is flat, the design accents are either embroidered or have a slightly higher pile, giving this piece texture and dimension. Every design element comes entirely from the artisan’s imagination.
- Zanafi: The Zanafi weaving technique comes from the High Atlas Mountains. This technique requires the highest level of skill and concentration. Each row is created with an intricate system of counting. This style is extra special because it's reversible; on each side, the colors of the symbols are inverted.
- Zemmour Hanbel: Originating in the Middle Atlas mountains, Zemmour Hanbel rugs are made with the thinnest of sheep's wool yarn. This labyrinth-like weaving technique requires acute focus and skill. As with other intricate weave styles, each symbol in the Zemmour Hanbel design is created with a meticulous system of counting.
- Kharita/Tazenakht: This rug style has a few different names: Golden Fingers, Kharita ("map" in Arabic) or Tazenakht. This complex weaving technique is usually made by the senior members of the village. The design consists of a maze of geometric shapes that are reflected on both sides, making the weaves reversible.
- Handira: Known to Westerners as wedding blankets, Handiras are usually made by a bride’s female relatives or the women of her village. Traditionally, brides wore the blankets as capes on their way to the wedding but these days, they’re used to wrap gifts for the newlyweds.
- Glaoui: The Glaoui technique is named after the Glaoua (Glawa) tribe of Southern Morocco. Glaoui is an extremely technical weave as it incorporates three techniques: Hand-weaving, Hand-knotting, and Hand-embroidery.
- Tuareg Mats: Tuareg Mats are woven by the Taureg tribe. They’re often mistakenly referred to as “Moroccan.” While the Tuareg tribe is part of the Amazigh nation, it stretches across many countries, including parts of Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso to name a few.
The Weaving Process
The process of weaving a Moroccan rug is a balance of creativity and artisanship, where each step contributes to the rug’s cultural significance and artistic polish.
- Choosing the right material: Local sheep provide the wool, prized for its durability and softness, which is spun by hand to form the foundational yarn for these rugs. Traditionally, Moroccan rug weavers may have incorporated silk or cotton to enhance the texture.
- The dyeing process: The dyeing process is an art in itself. Locally sourced ingredients such as spices, minerals, and fruits create vibrant dyes that transform the raw wool into multi-colored skeins. This step is where the wool takes up various hues that captivate the eye and make it possible for the weaver to tell stories in the rug.
- Knotting: Moroccan rugs typically use the traditional Berber knot, a meticulous hand knotting method that contributes to the plush, high-pile texture.
- Finishing: As the weaving nears completion, the weaver trims excess fibers, secures the knots, and inspects the rug for resilience and consistency.
Tufenkian Moroccan-style rugs are all hand knotted with materials produced by hand. This gives the wool a lustrous appearance that can only be obtained by human hands. These processes are impossible to replicate with machine intervention.
Assessing Quality and Authenticity
Assessing the quality of a Moroccan-style rug involves an appreciation for the authenticity of its materials, its artisanship, and the enduring vibrancy of its colors. The hallmark of a high-quality Moroccan rug is its materials. Genuine Moroccan and Moroccan-style rugs are crafted from premium wool to ensure durability, softness, and an authentic feel underfoot. The choice of materials, from the quality of the wool to its origins, contributes to the rug’s texture and overall quality. A key indicator of authenticity and quality lies in the rug’s creation. Quality Moroccan rugs are meticulously hand woven, knot by knot, by skilled artisans. These rugs feature charming irregularities in the weave and subtle variations in pattern, which serve as signs of the human touch. The vibrancy of Moroccan-style rug colors should be striking and enduring. Colorfastness is a crucial quality criterion. This ensures that the rich hues withstand the test of time and exposure to light.
Styling and Decor Tips
The distinct allure of Moroccan-style rugs comes through in their rich colors, intriguing patterns, and cultural resonance. Styling a Moroccan rug is an art of infusing a global and inviting atmosphere into your space.
- Moroccan rugs thrive in settings that derive style from a diverse range of design sources. Mix and match furniture pieces in different styles, such as mid-century modern or transitional styles, to contribute to a visually dynamic space.
- Let your Moroccan-style rug serve as a cultural ambassador for your space.
- Moroccan rugs shine when paired with low-slung furniture and pieces with a profile around five inches lower than typical. Consider placing your rug beneath a coffee table or arranging your seating area with pieces closer to the floor.
- Balance is essential with Moroccan-style rugs. If your rug boasts vibrant colors, opting for furniture and decor in neutral tones is often ideal to establish harmonious contrast.
- Moroccan rugs often work best in the company of other textiles, especially on the floor. Layer your rug over larger, neutral-toned carpets to enhance its prominence in the room. This adds depth but can also make a more modest-sized rug work in a larger room.
Care and Maintenance
Well-maintained rugs crafted from exceptional materials can last for decades. This hinges on whether they undergo adequate maintenance and regular cleanings and where they are placed in your space. Thorough washing of Moroccan rugs is best left to professionals. Consult care instructions or seek professional cleaning services if your rug requires a deep clean. Moroccan-style rugs are best kept in excellent condition through spot cleaning, as handwoven rugs can lose their shape or color if not properly cleaned. Gentle vacuuming is best. Use a low-suction vacuum or turn off the beater brush to prevent damage to the rug’s fibers. Gently brush a Moroccan-style rug with a soft-bristle brush to maintain its texture. Be sure to brush in the direction of the pile and avoid vigorous movements to prevent damage to the delicate fibers. Moroccan rugs may shed fibers, often many at first, which is normal and expected for these rugs. Regular vacuuming should help the shedding to diminish over time. While Moroccan rugs are prone to shedding and will often continue to shed throughout their life, Tufenkian Moroccan-style rugs are all hand knotted with materials superior to the wool traditionally used.
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