The Unique History of Moroccan Rugs

Many people seem to think that the Berber carpets and rugs were the origin of carpets and rugs. However, very people know that those rugs were of African descent, and more specifically, tribes in Northern Africa. The earliest forms of the Berber carpets can be traced back to the 7th century, and they were made entirely by hand, just like the authentic ones still in the market today.

It all started in Morocco

The Middle and High Atlas Mountains serve as the birthplace for several tribes collectively known as the Berber. These tribes lived in the mountains all through the Arab invasion, and traces of their existence can still be found in the mountains today. They were known for their iconic rugs, which were used for a variety of household functions. The significant attributes of these rugs were style and color. They usually came in different patterns depending on who designed them.

The wool used for the rugs were obtained from the family sheep. These wools were spun by hand into different sizes, thicknesses, and tightness of fibers. The next stage of the process was to dye the fibers using various traditional colors. The dyes are made from various local ingredients such as spices, minerals, fruits, and so on. What’s more, the recipes of the dyes have been passed from generation to generation.

Each rug is peculiar to each family, and each family had its process of making their rug. It was common to find rugs made entirely from different dyes, patterns, and so on. The uniqueness of the Berber rugs has spread wide and far across the globe. There have been Berber rugs found across homes and castles of some of the world’s wealthiest people. Known for their style and uniqueness, these rugs usually end up as collections or trophies rather than ending up on the floor like other rugs. Some of the iconic museums even have a Berber carpet or two in their collection.

It is a testament to the Berber rug that, even centuries later, it is still being produced by families. There are lots of areas in Morocco where these unique rugs are still handwoven from start to finish. You mustn’t confuse the real Berber style rugs and carpets with the counterfeit that is machine-made.

The Belief Of Burning The Edges

The old masters believed in burning the edges of their rugs. This is because the burned edges could fend off evil spirits while protecting the owner of the rug. This ancient belief has been passed down from generation to generation, and it is still in vogue today. There is a school of thought that says in burning the edges, you are reducing the beauty of the rug, and thus the evil spirits won’t be jealous of its beauty.

The Berber rugs of Morocco are a must-have item, especially if you want to obtain that classy and stylish look. It doesn’t matter if you need a rug for the floor or you want a specialty item for your walls, the Berber rugs of Morocco won’t disappoint you. They come in different colors, patterns, and styles, and they can match any home decor. Authentic Berber carpets and rugs are made entirely by hand, and they have a high resale value as they age.

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