The Elegant Taznakht Berber Rug

Taznakht Impressive Past

Taznakht is a city in Morocco, located 225 km southeast of Marrakech.

Taznakht has a rich and impressive history. In the past, the city was a link in the chain of caravan routes. 

Taznakht was a point of crossing and exchange. Its asset was its strategic location between Souss, Draa, and Telouet.

The trade included grains, leather, dates, pottery, jewelry, salt, sugar, and tea. Furthermore, commerce ensured the economic and cultural link between Taznakht and the other regions of Morocco.

History Of The Rug

In the beginning, the population of Taznakht exercised the weaving of djellabas, decorative belts, etc. Then the transition is made to the mat.

Taznakht's weaving tradition started as early as sheep breeding. The Siroua breed has very high wool quality. The result is an entirely white or black colored wool, clean and without jars.

A Luxury Product

At a given moment in history, the notables of the tribes were the exclusive owners of carpets. Taznakht's rugs were a symbol of luxury and social rank. 

Including the most modest, and over time, the carpet will be widespread in all homes.

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Raw Materials

The land of Taznakht is remarkably generous. Saffron, henna, and pomegranate are some of the many local products of the region.

From these local products, the women of Taznakht made high-value organic colorants. The primary colors are yellow, red, and blue colors.

The three ingredients of the Taznakht rug are the wool quality of the Siroua sheep, the vegetable dyes, and the know-how of the women weavers. 

This triple mixture made the Taznakht carpet an original and illustrated product.

The Process and The Decoration

The different steps to make the Taznakht carpet are shearing, setting up the loom, warping, and weaving.

While creating the rug, women sing and perform traditional rituals. These ceremonies illustrate ancestral beliefs and customs about the relationship between the being and the universe.

The signs and shapes on the Taznakht carpet are expressions of semiological language. The words become symbols, architectural motifs, landscapes, animals, triangles, squares, rhombuses, and zigzags.