Berber Tribes – Beni Ourain

BERBER TRIBES

Beni Ourain rugs genuine & old pieces are more challenging to find these days. Every Beni Ourain rug we find is special. Beni Ourains are basically large, thick and densely knotted. The patterns are simple diamond patterns, in black, gray, or brown on a natural light background, in some cases highlighted with some color. Beni Ourain also has it’s own recognizable knot style, berber knot, where the pile yarn twists the warp yarns twice - this requires skill and takes time. The Berber knot is mainly used in the Middle Atlas region, from where it originated. Berber knot is special and unique in the textile industry, it shows the indigenous local invention. Beni Ourain has incredibly high quality and thick high-quality wool, and there are plenty of twists in the wool.
Beni Ourain is probably the best known of the Moroccan rugs, and sadly the name Beni Ourain (or Beni Ouarain, Quarain) is used today in almost all rugs with a diamond pattern, even if they have nothing to do with genuine Beni Ourain. There are plenty of poor quality copies of Beni Ourain available and it is not difficult to distinguish them from genuine ones. You can see the differences in the quality of the wool from several meters away and feel it by touch. A closer look below the rug at the knots and weaving reveals how it’s made. The word “Beni” means tribe and the latter is the name of the tribe.


Azilal Berber rugs come from the High Atlas region. Designs are asymmetrical, abstract and artistic. Base color is usually white, but the use of colors can range from black and white to neon patterns, Azilals are real art rugs. In weaving style, Azilal rugs have a looser knot density than, for example, Ourain and are often shorter in pile. This gives Azilal its typical look, i.e. the weaving of the base show between the knots. The knotting is a mainly symmetrical.


Beni M’Guild rugs are known for their high quality as well as their use of intense colors. Details often blend into the background, making them appear differently when viewed from different angles. It makes Beni M’Guild carpets multidimensional. There are also unicolor Beni M’Guild rugs, where the pattern is only in the weaving, so it’s mostly visible except underneath the rug. M’Guild rugs also have a highly recognizable vivid symbolism that’s seen on several M’Guild rugs. In M’Guild rugs, the colors are deep and shimmering e.g. purple, indigo, lavender, pink, sand, green and deep red and orange. Typically, densely knotted and bot symmetrical and berber knots has been used. The M’Guilds come from the Middle Atlas region. In Boucherouite rugs, the creativity of Berber women is unleashed. Bold self-expression in the form of a rug-like rug makes these rugs special. Durable Boucherouite rugs combine design and ecology, as recycled textiles and surplus wools take on new life in the form of a faceted rug. Playful colors and wild patterns are a delight for both adults and children.


Boucherouite rugs have been woven extensively in Sahara and drier areas in Morocco where supply of wool is more challenging. Nowadays young rug weavers prefer the use of recycled textiles because it’s not only cheaper but also easier to work with.

Besides being very cost-effective and ecological the recycled materials with a whole new range of color encourages a creative impuls among the women so the boucherouite rugs are very playful, joyous and wild. Women wove intuitively, sometimes the colors dictate the patterns.

With Boucherouite rugs, you can easily refresh and personalize the interior. Boucherouite Rugs can be used in many ways and in various interior styles as they bring an interesting eye-catching contrast to a minimal scandinavian interior and ads hint of color and personality to different kind of spaces from children’s room to living room. Small Boucherouites works as well on the wall as a piece of art. Boucherouites can also be used to decorate a sofa or a chair.


Tuareg hasira rug is recognizable because it’s made of leather and natural materials such as straw, palm and reed. From Sahara.


Boujaad rugs are very colorful and plenty patterned Berber rugs. Certain symbolism repeated e.g., an eight-pointed high-shaped star, the star of Solomon. They also use a lot symbols like heart, different kind of animal and flowers. Very beautiful, sympathetic and aesthetic rugs. Loose knot density, as in the Azilale. Symmetrical knots. From the plains around Marrakech.


Beni M’rirt rugs are mainly white-based, with a dark pattern, or nuanced unicolor, but there are some exceptions too. The knots are typically symmetrical. Beni M’rirt’s patterning is quite subdued and symmetrical and dark colors are often dyed with plant colors. The knot density is quite high.


Marmoucha rugs come from the Middle Atlas region. Marmouchas are typically black and white, in addition little bit of red and orange hues here and there. Much used so-called double diamond pattern with two diamonds nested together and with colorful details between them. A Berber knot is mainly used, but also symmetrical knot.


Khemisset rugs are flat woven kilim rugs, usually in shades of red or blue with yellow, ivory and orange patterns. The warp yarn is typically red. Very detailed patterns takes time to weave.


Talsint rugs are very colorful, the base and the patterns both full of colors, but the patterns typically has a dark / black details giving the Talsin rug its specific looks.


Ait tamassine rugs has very detailed and symmetrical patterns. Usually bright shades at the base, such as terracotta, orange and saffron yellow, contrast with the dark details. The beginning and ending of the rug has often been woven flat exceptionally long. From High Atlas region.


Ait Tidil's dark base can be brown or even black, with ivory orange and yellow detailed patterns. Usually flat woven kilims.


Guerrouane rugs are denser knotted with berber knots. They are typically long-pile and plush art rugs. The knotted pattern also stands out beautifully from the flip side of the rug. Base colors are often red-toned and patterns are very detailed and diverse.