These weavings vary from region to region, and through their designs and the colors used, they can be identified and linked to a specific geographic region. Berber designs show a surprisingly rich variety, even though they use a vocabulary that is composed of simple geometric shapes, such as triangles, diamonds, zigzags, stars, crosses and chevrons. Because rugs were easily transported and exchanged, they were the perfect vehicles for disseminating patterns and symbols.

Moroccan Berber artisans combined Islamic symbols and symbols from other African cultures with their own vocabulary of designs to create a mosaic of meaning that is unique to them and their culture. For Moroccans, some designs possessed power and energy and were once thought to provide protection against evil forces. However, their very abstract nature enables them to embody a wide range of meanings that are flexible in their implications.

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Saddle Rug
Ait Tamassine, Ait Ouaouzguite (Berber) peoples
Siroua Mountains
1930s
Goat hair, wool, silk
Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Richard C. Vonnegut Endowment Fund in Memory of Louise A. Vonnegut Peirce
1998.82

Food bag (adil)
Ait Ouarda, Ait Ouaouzguite (Berber) peoples Siroua Mountains Early 1900s Goat hair, wool Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Eliza M. and Sarah L. Niblack Collection
33.1987

Rug
Berber peoples
Azilal region, High Atlas Mountains
1940s
Wool
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Emma Harter Sweetser Fund
2001.172

Man's hooded cape (akhnif)
Ait Ouaouzguite (Berber) peoples
Siroua Mountains
1800s
Goat hair, wool, cotton, silk
Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Eliza M. and Sarah L. Niblack Collection
33.1984

Woman's shoes
Berber peoples
Central Anti Atlas Mountains
Mid-1900s
Leather, silk, metallic threads
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Lucille Stewart Endowed Art Fund
2001.165

Pair of boots
Ait Ouaouzguite (Berber) peoples
Mid-1900s
Leather, silk, metallic threads
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Jacob Metzger Memorial Fund
1998.25ab

Man's hooded robe (jellaba)
Berber peoples
Middle Atlas Mountains
1925-50
Wool
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Lucille Stewart Endowed Art Fund
2001.163

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

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