The rural areas of Morocco are populated by Berber peoples, the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco. The Berbers, once nomadic but now mostly settled, live in and around the Rif, Middle Atlas, High Atlas, Siroua and Anti Atlas mountains. In the Plains of Marrakesh, the people are mainly Arab, or they are of mixed Arab and Berber descent.

Textile production in all its phases dominates the everyday lives of Berber women. Besides their daily chores, which include cooking, baking and rearing children, the women produce a wide range of weavings for their families' use. More recently, they have been weaving rugs for sale in the local markets.

Click on images for more information.

Go to Part Two

Saddle rug (rataya)
Zemmour (Berber) peoples
Middle Atlas Mountains
Early 1900s
Wool, cotton, silk, sequins
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Gift of Frank Hall
1994.60

Woman's shawl (handira)
Beni Moussa (Arab) peoples
Boujad region, Plains of Marrakesh
Mid-1900s
Cotton, wool
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Mrs. Pierre F. Goodrich Endowed Art Fund
1995.55

Rug or blanket (hanbel)
Zemmour (Berber) peoples
Middle Atlas Mountains
1950s
Wool, cotton, silk
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Alliance Fine Arts Fund
1994.18

Woman's belt (kourzia)
Jabala (Berber) peoples
Rif region
1800s
Wool, cotton, resist dyed
Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Eliza M. and Sarah L. Niblack Collection
33.1988

Woman's shawl (handira)
Zemmour (Berber) peoples
Middle Atlas Mountains
Early 1900s
Wool, cotton
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Alliance Fine Arts Fund
1994.10

Rug
Ait Bou Ichaouen, Ait Seghrouchen (Berber) peoples
Eastern Morocco
c. 1950
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Emma Harter Sweetser Fund
Wool
2001.171

Rug
M'Hazil, Rehamna (Arab) peoples
Plains of Marrakesh
1920s or 1930s
Goat hair, wool
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Emma Harter Sweetser Fund
1996.14

Introduction | Urban Textiles and Costumes | Rural, Part One / Part Two | Education

Back to: NMAfA past exhibits