Amazigh carpet from Azila

Colours and patterns of the Amazigh carpet

Each Amazigh tribe has its own pattern and carpet style. The carpets of the Beni Ouarain tribe are minimalist with only black diamond shapes and a white background, while the carpets of Azilal are very colourful and artistic, the carpets of the Beni M'guild tribe are coloured with one main colour (orange, pink or blue). You can also find other tribes, each with their own style like the Boucherouites, the Boujad, the Talsint, the Zaiane.

In Morocco and the High Atlas region, weaving has an undeniable symbol. The geometric patterns and their combinations are perceived only by the person who produces them. Links can be found between women's tattoos and the painted or sculpted motifs on pottery and carpets. They are sometimes used to identify pets.

The stylised shapes that the weaver draws are part of her culture (path, river, stars, beetles, scorpions, flowers, mirror, cake, etc.) The teapot in profile, often in the middle of the carpet, is full of meaning and refers to the hospitality and friendliness dear to the inhabitants. Other shapes can also be found, such as lozenges, broken lines, squares, chevrons, crosses, inclined or straight struts, combs and stars.

Meaning of the motifs

Shown alone, the shape of the diamond is sometimes seen as the eye, which protects against bad luck. Butterflies represented by two triangles but also flowers and stars represent feminine beauty. A zigzag line often surrounds the carpet and represents rivers, snakes or family. The branches express difficulty, danger but also vegetables and the tree of life. The comb refers to weaving. The woman, free, feet open and arms raised is represented by a sign of the tifinagh alphabet. The leg of a partridge, Fatma's hand and the bride's belt are often depicted. The Berber cross, often in the middle of the carpet, echoes the architecture of the Kasbah.

The length of the carpet can vary from 2 to 6 meters, while the width is almost 1.9 to 2.5 meters. Amazigh carpets have inherent resilience, are quiet and comfortable for pedestrians and are easy to maintain and keep clean. 

Amazigh tattoos and designs in Moroccan carpets

Amazigh Tattoos - Tattooing has a long and complex history in Africa. The Amazigh tribe, in particular, has been practicing tattooing of symbolic designs for centuries. Tattoo designs range from animal and plant figures to spiritual and abstract motifs.

These tattoos have been used for many different purposes, but almost all of them are seen as a way to protect oneself from evil spirits or to get away from them. Tattoo designs are found in abundance on period Moroccan carpets. Berber women are the ones who weave, passing on the patterns and weaving techniques from mother to daughter. Traditional Moroccan Berber motifs include checks, triangles, zigzags, crosses and stars.

                                                      Moroccan berber rugs