Page 338 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

336  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Moroccan Carpets

There are as many different types of carpets in Morocco as The fringe, at one end of the
there are tribal traditions. Moroccan carpets can, however, carpet, is part of the warp.
be divided into two main groups: Berber carpets
and city carpets. The former are either knotted
or woven; they are pleasingly unrefined and
each one is unique. Their wool, which the
women weave into simple or complex patterns,
their harmonious colours, their shape and size,
and also their patterns, vary from one region
to another. City carpets, influenced by Oriental
traditions, are finer. Symbols of luxury, they
grace the living rooms of wealthy houses.

Berber Carpets
Most of the carpets made in Tazenaght and
Taliouine, in the High Atlas, are made by the
Ouaouzguite tribe. These carpets are typically long,
narrow and supple, and thus well suited to use in the
interiors of kasbahs in the Atlas.

Carpet Weaving
After the men have sheared
the sheep in the spring,
the women wash the wool
and carefully pick over it.
It is then carded, a process
by which the strands are
untangled by brushing
with comb-like implements.
Next, the wool is spun into
yarn with a small spindle.
Carding wool Either in its natural colour
or after it has been dyed, the wool is then ready
to be woven. Berber women knot carpets on large,
rudimentary looms consisting of two wooden
vertical and two horizontal planks. The warp is set
up by threading strands vertically on the loom. Carpet from the High Atlas, in which woven
These determine the length and thickness of the bands alternate with knotted bands. The well-
carpet. The weft (the horizontal threads) are ordered geometric motifs feature lozenges,
threaded by hand between the strands of the triangles and broken lines.
warp, the weaver working row by row, pressing
the weave together with an iron comb.

Carpet made by the Zaïane of the Middle
Atlas, featuring a combination of strict
geometric and random motifs. These carpets
A weaver in Abachkou are well suited to use in tents or for covering
the beaten earth floors of houses.

336-337_EW_Morocco.indd 336 09/08/16 11:20 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.3)
Date 18th October 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm