Rug Styles

Weaving techniques vary throughout all of Morocco. Across the different tribes, regions, and villages, many different styles can be found. 

Since the weaving craft is taught by elders, the style of each tribe or region often reflect the climate, needs, and customs of that particular community. Artisans in the snowy Atlas Mountains, specialize in thicker rugs than the artisans who reside in the desert. This variation continues throughout every weave choice—from the animals the wools are harvested from, the dye ingredients available, and the local symbols and traditions. 

Boujad

Boujad rugs originate from the Al Haouz region of Morocco and are celebrated for their distinctive and vibrant aesthetic. These rugs often showcase a myriad of bold colors. One of the defining features of Boujad rugs is their use of geometric shapes, abstract forms, and symbolic motifs passed down through generations, each telling a story of the weaver's cultural heritage and artistic expression. The weaving technique results in a less dense pile compared to other Moroccan rugs, giving them a distinct texture.

  • Rabha’s Embroidered Tamizart - Salam Hello

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. The blankets are a symbolic blessing for the marriage, and after the wedding, they’re often passed on to other couples to continue to share the blessings and joy.

Intricate Hanbel

This style is thought to originate from the area in and around the Village of Tazenakht, an area rich with a 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. The design elements within this technique tend to depict an array of symbolism in the Amazigh culture.

  • Aït Tigga's Grid Kharita - Salam Hello

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. This technique consists of a maze of geometric shapes that has the same design on both sides which allows this rug to be reversible. This Flatweave is incredibly strong and will withstand the test of time.

Low Hand-Knot

The Low Hand-Knot style of rug most often comes from the southeastern Tribes in and around the Siroua region. The pile of these rugs is much shorter than the Hand-Knot rugs from the north. Despite the shorter pile, these pieces are still quite plush and cozy.

One significant difference in technique with this rug is the artisans usually pre-cut the wool prior to weaving on the loom, while the women in the north cut the wool after looping it around the loom.

Medium to High Hand-Knot

There are many varieties of a rug that contain a Medium to High Hand-Knot—Boujad, Azilal, Beni Ourain, Beni M'Rirt, and Marmoucha, to name a few. While they may have similarities, the knot technique varies depending on the region or tribe the rug comes from. The majority of these rugs come from the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains. The local sheep in these colder climates have a thicker coat to sustain them during the winter months, which impacts the thickness of the wool, and in turn, contributes to the height of the pile.

Tuareg Mat

Often confused with Moroccan rugs, Tuareg Mats have their own narrative. Tuareg Mats, woven by female artisans from the nomadic Tuareg tribe in the Sahara, boast a unique history. Originally used as flooring and walls, these lightweight yet durable mats withstand the harsh desert climate. Crafted from resilient reeds and adorned with strips of goat and/or camel leather, each mat is one-of-a-kind, telling a story of strength, protection, and prosperity through traditional Amazigh designs.

Vintage

Our Vintage pieces were usually made by grandmas or great aunts and then passed down through generations. Even when a family runs out of room or decides to sell an old rug, they’re bound to bring beauty to their next home. Most vintage rugs you will find in local Moroccan markets are purchased by male brokers, who visit neighboring villages and buy up all the pieces they can in one transaction. Our process is different, as we work directly with the women selling these heirloom rug pieces. We visit their homes and neighborhoods to see the pieces in-person and negotiate face-to-face. One telltale way to spot vintage rugs is by their odd shapes, as they may have been made to fit into old buildings, or specific spaces generations ago.