Beniourain rug , Azilal rug , Boucherouite rug, Boujad,Mrirt are part of the category of Berber carpets. The woolen work is knotted.The weaver adds small knots of wool one by one.
The other category of carpet is kilim. UnlikeBerber rugs, these are woven. A long woolen thread runs across the width of thecarpet.
These two types of carpets are made in theMoroccan mountains of the Middle Atlas. One in the Azilal region, hence thename Azilal rug. The other in the Beni Ourain region, hence the name Beniourain carpet.
Each region has its own specificities in termsof the sun, temperatures and vegetation. The sheep raised there also havedifferent characteristics adapted to the climate of their region.
The wool of sheep from the Beni Ourain region,for example, is very white. That of the Azilal region draw more towards beige.
Azilal carpets and Beni Ourain carpets are amongthe most qualitative Berber carpets. Indeed, the wool used is virgin. Thismeans that it comes from the shearing of a living sheep and not sick or dead.
The other difference between Beni Ourain rugsand Azilal rugs is noticeable in the patterns.
The drawings on the Berber carpets represent thelife of the weaver at the time of making. Symbol of fertility, religion,protection, nature are very often represented.
On the Beni Oarain rugs, mostly white and black,the patterns are quite refined and graphically represented.
Azilal rugs are more loaded. They can be verycolorful or black and white.
The region, colors and patterns are thereforethe three main elements that differentiate Beni Ourain rugs and Azilal rugs and that will help you to differentiate them.
