M'rirt's Zigzag Vintage Zanafi

This rug was woven by a group of artisans who reside in a village just outside of Beni M'rirt. 

Keltouma and her daughter Soukina lead this group of 25 artisans from a Village just outside Beni M’rirt, in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Founded in the early 2000s, the collective makes medium to high hand-knot rugs, a style named after the region as well as an adaption of the Zanafi weaving technique.

The origins of the Zanafi weaving technique come 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. 

While the more traditional Zanafis made in the Southeast create a reversible design the adapted technique by the weavers of the Middle Atlas Mountains are made with the design only facing one side. 

This vintage Zanafi was made around 15 years ago. The repetitive design motifs represent a sickle in the Amazigh culture and are thought to represent respect.