Amazigh women have been handweaving textiles since 600 B.C., passing the craft from generation to generation. Each step of the weaving process is rich with tradition and meaning; from harvesting and dyeing the wool, constructing the loom, to the final design of the weave.
The Wool:
Wool Preparation:
After the wool is sheared from the animal, the artisans wash, card, brush, and spin it into yarn. Every step of this process is done by hand.
Dyeing:
Our artisans usually dye their wool themselves using local, naturally sourced spice, plant, and herb blends. For example, henna leaves create an earthy red while pomegranate peels make a brighter red. Saffron and chamomile flowers both make yellows. Olive leaves make light green and walnut peels make brown.
The Loom:
Each textile is made on a vertical loom. These looms are constructed by hand and are often accompanied by traditional rituals rooted in local beliefs and customs. One common ritual involves breaking a piece of sugar against one side of the structure and placing a date on the other.
Knot By Knot:
Depending on the size of the loom and weave, up to five women will sit at one loom and begin the weeks-long process of building a rug—one knot at a time. On average, each rug contains 50,000 knots.
Cutting From the Loom:
Once the weave is completed, it must be removed from the loom. With tradition passed down through generations, the artisans expertly cut the rug from the loom and hand tie the tassels.
Washing and Drying From the Sun:
Finally, the finished rugs are washed with water, scrubbed clean, and dried in the sun. Visit our social media to learn more about this process(Click here)