Moroccan Carpets

When it comes to Moroccan carpets, the activity of weaving is undoubtedly the oldest craft in Morocco. Generations of girls and women have succeeded behind vertical looms and rudimentary for making Moroccan carpets.

The carpet has become gradually important to the lives of Moroccan families as it has a triple purpose: 

It ensures protection from the cold.

It is also a decorative object in its own right.

And it helps many families as a source of supplementary income.

Today, there are two types of carpets, each with its specificities.

Rural Rugs:

More commonly known as Berber carpets, they are the work of a business homestead. 

To save the traditions, cooperatives and schools specialize in training people and in helping them to create carpets.

For example, wool carpets from the Middle Atlas, very large and thick, displays a red or white which are juxtaposed with other colors and are adorned with diamonds, rectangles and chevrons shapes.

Oriental  Moroccan carpets  of Taourirt-Oujda generally have a red background on which there are superimposed drawings of green and blue. Finally, the carpet of the High Atlas and of Ouarzazate, which are smaller, have a much finer weave. They present some warm tones: orange, yellow or red and the background is often dark.

City Carpets: The urban carpets, which are from an oriental inspiration, are a much more recent creation. They are found only in the regions of Rabat and Casablanca. Adorned with star-shaped motifs and geometric and floral designs on a plain ground, they wear the red and pink to give them a more traditional side and blue for a more modern look.


Other famous Moroccan carpets include:

The rugs in Rabat are Morocco's most famous. They have seven colors and have patterns that are covered with drawings that have magical meanings.

Ait ouaouzguit is famous for a rug that belongs to the tribe of the region of Taznaght. They are made from sheep's wool and come, most often, in geometric patterns and varied colors.


Glaoui’s carpets are very fine and characterized bands. They are knotted and woven using strips over structured windows.

Akhnif: results from a woven tapestry style are  much like the East Kulim.

Bousbaa-chichaoua: chichaoua is a few kilometers from Marrakech. This area is known for  the peculiarity of their style as they use a mixture of wool and goat hair.


The Berber carpet stands recognized for its best quality because they usually use knotted long wool with a slight preference for red obtained by the root of madder. Other types of carpets are Zemmour, Ouarain,the Beni, the Zain, the Marmusha.

Looking for Moroccan Art Products? Check out my Moroccan Art aStore!

	Customized Morocco trips We are receptive tour operator licensed by the Moroccan government. We specialize in private tours for coupels , small groups and families. We offer cultural , adventure journeys.Our main goal is to provide you with the best personlized service. Great rates for RealAdventures visitors >> Click For Details & Pictures
RealAdventures | Tangier, Morocco Sight-Seeing Tour | Morocco Sight-Seeing Tour | Morocco Vacations | Sight-Seeing Tour | Tangier, Morocco

Moroccan Artisan Carpets

Morocco’s appeal to travelers is Artisan normally available for a decent price. And, for those gifted with the art of bartering a even better price can be achieved. One of the most sought after items in Morocco are Moroccan carpets.

For those armed with the knowledge of what makes a quality carpet and a basic price range to begin the wheeling and dealing, buying a carpet in Morocco can be a rewarding experience (and make your living room look astounding).

Local Moroccan women who make the carpets often are not the ones who end up selling them. In some small villages, where women’s cooperatives exist, the women are involved in pricing and selling process.

They might even have set prices, which are what many travelers prefer, especially if they aren’t into bargaining while sipping Moroccan tea for two or more hours in a crowded medina alleyway.

Therefore, if possible, attempt to visit a local artisanal shop or women’s cooperative to have an idea of what prices are fair for different types of carpets. One type of carpet is the heavy woolen type that is available throughout the country.

In Rabat, which is one epicenter for these types of Moroccan carpets, travelers can search the medina – which happens to be one of the most laid-back souk areas in the entire country. These types of carpets are different than others you’ll find elsewhere in Morocco because of their design that holds true to basic Islamic Art patterns.

Usually, these Moroccan carpets have one central motif that works its way to a highly detailed border. Before looking at a carpets central theme, look over its border. If it is detailed, solid, and thick, then the carpet will cost more money than another without the same outer-edge workmanship.

Knowing the different prices for carpets is quite difficult. The rule goes: If a buyer is happy with the price, then it is a fair price to pay. While this thought process is a little different for western travelers who would rather have something fixed, you’ll begin to understand the mentality better after a few days’ experience in various marketplaces.

An old antique carpet that is more than 50 years old, for example, will be worth quite a bit of money, especially if it has been taken care of and withstood the tests of time. Other, more modern carpets may appear bright and illustrious, but their colors will fade over time – something that actually adds to the original look and feel of the piece. Knowing the difference between what chemical and natural (or vegetable) dyes will help.

Overall, a carpet can be judged by how many knots it has per square meter (or yard). Excellent carpets that fetch the highest prices might have nearly 350,000 knots in it per square meter (or about 300,000 per square yard). This type of workmanship is hard to find, but can be had if one looks hard enough.

If a carpet vendor claims that their carpets have more knots than this, then you know that it is a far-fetched tale.

Additionally, outside of the Rabat region, Moroccan carpets vary in length, design, and craftsmanship. With hundreds (if not thousands) of types available, it will be dependent upon your taste and ability to spot a well-made piece that determines what sort of carpet you’ll bring home.

These patterns will include geometrical patterning and not have outlandish repetitions of the same design. These carpets are often called hanbels or kilims. Other Moroccan carpets, which are thicker and well made, are called zaneefi designs, while a shoedwi is a type of carpet that is usually made up of mostly black and white designs.

At Shop Morocco we have a wide range of Moroccan Carpets

 <<<Back to Moroccan Art
<<<Back to Homepage

***C2_invitation_22768914***