Fatima and Naima's Amazigh Hand-Knot

The Association Le Vieux Village is a beautiful collective of women artisans just outside of Tazenakht. This Association is a true family affair. Mlouka, the matriarch of the collective, has passed the art of weaving down to her daughters, Naima and Fatima, daughters-in-law, Latifa and Meriem, cousins, and villagers. All of the rugs from Le Vieux are made from 100% live wool that was brushed, carded, and hand-spun by the women of the Association.

Number of Artisans: 40
Association Founded: 2001
Region: Siroua
Rug Techniques: Low Hand-Knot, Boucherouite, Kharita, Zanafi, Flatweave, Intricate Hanbel

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.