A Berber haik from the Mejjat tribe in Southern Morocco, second half 20th century, originally an everyday garment for women. This textile is characterized by undulating, dark brown stripes running horizontally over a light colored background with a subtle gradation. It has a medium fine weft and is in impeccable condition. The different types of lines, in various shades of natural wool, are the basic elements of design that create a unique drawing on each textile. 

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