A Berber haik from the Mejjat region in Southern Morocco, second half 20th century, originally an everyday garment for women. The design of this textile shows two dark colored sections, which stand out against two light colored sections with delicate patterns in a soft palette. The fine weft becomes even finer in touch towards the lower section woven with camel hair. The different types of lines, in various shades of natural wool, are used as basic design elements to create a unique drawing on each textile. In this case, only a few colored threads are incorporated. 

For more in depth discussion please see ‘An Infinity of Stripes’ published in HALI magazine 200 and found on the editorial page. Written by Lucien Viola, a textile collector based in Marrakech, and myself, the article explores two different points of view on striated garments from the Anti Atlas region in Morocco.

MEJJAT is a small tribal territory in the most southern part of the Anti-Atlas, at the edge of the Sahara, located about 90 km southeast of Tiznit. The tribe is relatively small and divided into four moieties. Striated garments have been worn by the women of this region and are among the most striking everyday textiles of the entire Anti-Atlas region. Most of these haiks (or blankets) are woven in various shades of undyed wool with the exception of some examples incorporating color.