The Cultural Significance of Moroccan Rug Weaving
The art of Moroccan rug weaving stretches back centuries with Amazigh* women, indigenous to North Africa, being credited with the craft's origin. Each region uses traditional weaving techniques handed down by elders over generations and are specific to their tribe. This makes each rug a living embodiment of a rich culture of creativity and storytelling deeply rooted in Moroccan culture and tradition.
Carpets woven vary according to the region in symbols, patterns, colour palette and traditional weaving techniques. Traditionally, natural dyes derived from plants, fruit and flowers like saffron, henna, and pomegranate were used to colour the fibres.
So how are Moroccan rugs made, you ask? Lets jump in.
The Inspiration Behind Moroccan Rugs
Authentic Moroccan rugs see Amazigh weavers draw inspiration from their daily lives, the natural environment and the traditions of their ancestors when designing and weaving authentic Moroccan rugs.
The geometric patterns, rich colours and intricate symbols can offer a clue as to what type of Moroccan rug you are looking at. More than that, they tell a story with symbolic meaning that represents Moroccan culture and heritage.
The Materials Used in Moroccan Rug Weaving
Authentic Moroccan rugs will generally always be made from natural, sustainable and eco-friendly materials like wool and cotton, which explains the cost. Often these raw materials are also dyed with plant-based colours. Synthetic materials are only found in types of rugs that utilise found and up-cycled materials.
Gathering, Cleaning and Preparing the Wool
Wool is gathered from local sheep during the summer months when the sheep are sheared for their winter wool. Many Amazigh tribes care for their own herd of sheep and this traditional way of producing wool ensures a local, circular economy keeping jobs and money within the community.
The raw wool is washed to remove dirt and grease and then carded and combed into long and short strands. Next up, the wool is spun on a spinning wheel to produce yarn which is dyed and left to dry.
The Dyeing Process: Creating Vibrant Colours
The process can take up to ten days:
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The wool is washed with soap
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The wool is soaked in boiling water with a mordent for up to 10 days allowing the dye to bond creating a colour fast yarn.
Synthetic dyes were introduced to Morocco in the 1950s and are responsible for the bright colours found in many vibrant modern day Moroccan carpets.
Natural Dye Sources and Techniques
Traditionally, wool was dyed using natural colours derived from plants, minerals and insects. For example, henna leaves are used to produce an earthy red, saffron or chamomile flowers for yellow, madder roots for shades of pink and red, olive leaves for green, and indigo for blue. The exact source of each colour differs from region to region and depends on materials available in that area.
The Weaving Process: From Loom to Rug
Setting Up the Loom
Women of the Atlas Mountains, high Atlas mountains or the Sahara desert all use a loom for the hand woven rug making.
The process starts by stringing warp threads tightly on a loom, forming the base of the rug.
The loom itself is a simple tool which requires great skill and precision - the tradition is passed down orally from women to girls.
Hand-Knotting and Weaving Techniques
Next, pieces of wool are hand-knotted between the warp threads to create the fabric of the carpet.
There are variety of knotting and weaving techniques used in rug making that are unique to the various regions and tribes of Morocco, each one producing a different style and effect. For example:
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Pile knot - the most common technique for handwoven rugs in Morocco
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Berber knot - creates a plush high pile texture and thicker rugs
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Flatweave - weft thread is woven back and forth between the warp threads
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Glaoui - incorporates flatweave, hand knot and embroidery
Incorporating Symbols and Patterns
Amazigh women incorporate traditional symbols and motifs into each handwoven rug. Some symbols deflect the evil eye for both the weaver and owner, others represent mountains, fertility and much more. Like any work of art, you can interpret the story and motifs in any way you like.
The Finishing Touches: Trimming and Washing
There are a few final steps before the rug is ready to go to market.
Trimming the Pile
The weaver carefully trims any loose fibres from the carpet to create an even pile which can vary depending on the profile of the rug i.e. low vs high-pile.
Washing and Drying
Finally, the carpet is washed to remove any dirt or excess dye. This process is often carried out by men who bring the carpets to nearby rivers for washing before leaving the carpet to dry in the sun - a process which brings out the vibrancy of the colours.
The Final Product: A Work of Art
The final carpet is so much more than a functional item. It's a piece of art that reflects the culture, traditions, and creativity of the Moroccan people. Each rug is unique and tells the story of the women who wove it. No two rugs are exactly the same and they are sure to bring personality to any room.
*A Note on the term Berber
You may have seen terms like authentic Moroccan berber rugs, berber carpets, berber tribes, berber women, and berber people. We avoid these terms, as Berber is a derogatory word which stems from the word barbaric. We use the word Amazigh (which means the free man) instead to represent our indigenous population.
*Here at Moroccan Miracles we use the word Amazigh to speak about the indigenous peoples of North Africa and generically use the term Moroccan to represent the Amazigh peoples in current day Morocco.
FAQs
What materials are used in Moroccan rugs?
High quality wool, cotton and sometimes other recycled materials.
Are Moroccan rugs handmade?
Yes, an authentic Moroccan rug is hand woven using techniques and traditions of that particular tribe.
How do weavers decide on the patterns for the rugs?
The symbols and pattern of handwoven rugs are the weavers stories and creative expressions.
How long does it take to weave a Moroccan carpet?
Carpets woven can take anywhere from two to three weeks to three months, depending on the size and complexity of the design.
