An attractive Azilal rug, 1980s, with an underlying grid structure and distorted geometric motifs in the pattern. This rug was most probably made shortly before other materials such as synthetic yarns and recycled materials were used as substitute for wool in the region. Please note: This rug has a few barely noticeable stains which visually disappear depending on the lighting it is displayed in.

The attribution AZILAL is given to rugs that are made by Berber tribes living in the province Azilal. The province extends north of the main chain of the High Atlas to the southern foothills of the Middle Atlas. Most important tribal groups in the area are the Ait Atta Noumalou, Ait Bouguemez, Ait Shokhmane and Ait bou Oulli. Their expressive weavings were originally made with undyed wool and primarily found in the area around the Ait Bouguemez valley and among the Ait Boulli. The considered typical Azilal rug has a black or brown geometric design on a white background. Rugs with a red background come from the eastern part of the region, from the Ait Shokhmane and the Ait Bouzid, bordering the southern Boujad region. Most of the Azilal rugs one can find in today’s market were being produced between the 1980s until today. Their characteristics are slightly different incorporating colorful, industrial yarns and recycled textile scraps.