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Berber Tribes and Their Woven Heritage

Berber tribes across Morocco have been creating distinctive rugs for generations – each tribe with its own style, materials, and symbolism. These rugs are a reflection of the weaver’s identity and cultural heritage, but they are also aesthetically and technically impressive works of craftsmanship. On this page, we introduce various tribes, the characteristic features of their rugs, and the rich diversity that makes Moroccan rugs so captivating and revered.

Beni Ouarain

Authentic and vintage Beni Ouarain rugs have become increasingly rare, which makes each piece we source truly special. The word "Beni" means tribe, and "Ouarain" is the name of the specific tribal group.

Beni Ouarain rugs are typically large, thick-pile, and densely knotted. Their designs are often minimalist, featuring traditional diamond patterns. The background is usually a natural off-white, with motifs in black, grey, or brown — occasionally accented with subtle colors.

These rugs are known for their distinctive knotting technique: the Berber knot, where the pile yarn wraps around the warp threads twice. This method requires a great deal of skill and time. The Berber knot is native to the Middle Atlas region and is unique in the textile world — a local innovation rooted in indigenous craftsmanship.

Beni Ouarain rugs almost always use exceptionally high-quality wool: thick, soft, and full of natural twist. The difference in wool quality is often visible from several meters away — and unmistakable to the touch. A closer look at the underside of the rug, its knots and weave structure, reveals the true artistry of its construction.

Although Beni Ouarain is likely the most well-known Moroccan rug style, the name is frequently misused. Today, many rugs featuring diamond patterns are labeled as Beni Ouarain (or Beni Ourain, Quarain) even if they have no connection to the original tribe or weaving tradition. Unfortunately, the market is full of low-quality copies — but a genuine Beni Ouarain is easy to distinguish by its craftsmanship, materials, and authenticity.

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Beni M’Guild

Beni M’Guild rugs are renowned for their high quality and the bold, vibrant use of color. In many rugs, details blend into the background, revealing themselves differently depending on the angle of view. This quality gives Beni M’Guild rugs a unique sense of depth and dimensionality.

While many Beni M’Guild rugs feature richly colored patterns, there are also monochromatic versions where the design is woven into the structure itself. In these, the pattern is often subtle and more visible from the underside of the rug.

A distinctive feature of Beni M’Guild rugs is their recognizable and expressive Berber symbolism, which is repeated throughout the tribe’s weaving tradition. The colors are typically deep and luminous—common hues include purple, indigo, lavender, pink, sand, green, deep red, and orange.

These rugs are usually made with densely tied symmetrical and Berber knots, and they have a long, plush pile. Beni M’Guild rugs originate from the Middle Atlas region of Morocco.

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Azilal

Azilal rugs originate from the High Atlas region of Morocco. They are known for their artistic, abstract, and often asymmetrical designs. While the base is typically a natural white or cream, the use of color varies widely — from minimalist black and white to bold neon accents. Azilals are true art rugs, full of character and expression.

In terms of technique, Azilal rugs are woven with a looser knot density than, for example, Beni Ouarain rugs, and they often have a shorter pile. This creates the characteristic Azilal appearance, where the woven base is partially visible between the knots.

Symmetrical knots are most commonly used in Azilal weaving, contributing to their distinctive structure and texture.

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Marmoucha

Marmoucha rugs originate from the Middle Atlas region of Morocco. They are often black and white in appearance, with subtle accents of red or orange used for contrast.

A common design element is the so-called double diamond pattern, where two diamonds are nested inside one another. These may be filled with colorful details that add richness and variation to the otherwise minimalist design.

Marmoucha rugs are typically knotted using symmetrical knots, although traditional Berber knots are also occasionally used.

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Guerrouane

Guerrouane rugs are densely knotted using traditional Berber knots, resulting in a richly detailed and highly textured surface. These rugs are typically long-pile and plush, often considered true pieces of textile art.

The intricate knotted patterns are so precisely made that they are clearly visible on the reverse side of the rug as well. Base colors tend to be in warm red tones, while the motifs are diverse and elaborately composed.

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Boujaad

Boujaad rugs are richly patterned and highly colorful Berber rugs, known for their expressive and often symbolic designs. A recurring motif is the tall, eight-pointed Star of Solomon. Other common elements include hearts, various animals, and floral patterns — each carrying cultural and symbolic meaning.

These rugs are woven with a loose knot density and symmetrical knots, similar in construction to Azilal rugs. Boujaad rugs originate from the plains surrounding Marrakech, in central Morocco.

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Boucherouite

Boucherouite rugs are a celebration of Berber women’s creativity. Woven from recycled materials, these bold and expressive rugs transform everyday textiles into striking, artistic pieces. The combination of design and sustainability makes each Boucherouite rug unique — full of playful colors, wild patterns, and personality.

Traditionally woven in Saharan and other dry regions of Morocco, where access to wool was limited, Boucherouite rugs offered a practical and inventive solution. Today, younger women weavers continue the tradition, choosing recycled fabrics not only for their affordability but also for their vibrant colors and ease of use. The materials themselves often inspire the patterns, resulting in intuitive, one-of-a-kind designs.

Boucherouite rugs are a fun and easy way to refresh and personalize your interior. They fit beautifully in a variety of spaces — from children's rooms to living areas — adding contrast, warmth, and visual interest. Long, narrow Boucherouites are perfect as hallway runners, bringing life and dimension to otherwise empty spaces.

Beyond the floor, small Boucherouite rugs also work wonderfully as wall hangings, decorative throws on sofas or chairs, or even as textile art. Originally, they were often placed on low platforms in Berber homes, functioning as bench covers — a testament to their beauty and versatility.

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Taznaht

Taznakht rugs come from the Ouarzazate region near the Sahara, where several weaving communities exist. The color palette of Taznakht rugs includes saffron yellow, indigo blue, henna red, and natural white.

The precise geometric patterns show Arab and Saharan influences, reflecting the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled way of life as the Sahara’s sands shift. Some of the rugs are knotted while others are flatwoven.

Khemisset

Khemisset rugs are flat-woven kilims, known for their intricate patterns and strong visual presence. They are typically crafted in shades of red or blue, complemented by detailed motifs in colors such as yellow, ivory, and orange.

These rugs often feature a red warp yarn, which gives a distinctive base tone to the weave. The complexity of the designs means that each rug requires significant time and skill to complete.

Ait Tidil

Ait Tidil rugs are typically flat-woven kilims with a dark base—often deep brown or even black. These backgrounds are usually accented with bold details in ivory, orange, and yellow, creating a strong and earthy contrast.

Most Ait Tidil rugs are woven in the kilim style, reflecting the minimalist yet expressive aesthetic of this High Atlas weaving tradition.

Tuareg

Tuareg Hasira rugs are instantly recognizable by their unique materials: they are not made of wool, but instead crafted from leather and natural fibers such as straw, palm leaves, and reed.

These rugs originate from the Sahara region and have traditionally been used as floor coverings inside tents. Their construction reflects both the resourcefulness and the aesthetic sensibility of Tuareg nomadic culture.