The Production Process of Authentic Beni Ourain Rugs
The making of authentic Moroccan rugs starts with picking high-quality wool. It comes from the special sheep that is raised in the Mountains of Morocco. The raw material is taken directly from their back after the wool is sheared, after that, the fleece is properly washed and cleaned and all the grease is removed.
Manual Hand-Spinning of Wool
The raw wool is then hand-spuned after cleaning. It includes the twisting of wool fiber to make yarn, which is again spun into different threads that are then used for weaving. The warp and loom are set again to ensure quality and strength. When you buy an authentic Moroccan rug one thing about their genuineness is guaranteed these rugs are made from 100% natural wool and the wool that is used is obtained from sheep.
Knotting the Moroccan Rugs
Knotting is one of the crucial stages in the rug-making process as it involves the best skills that an artist possesses. Skilled artisans weave these rugs with dense knots between interlacing wefts.
Dyeing & Trimming
Before the completion of the Beni Ourain rug, all the intricate patterns are dyed with natural pigments. At the end of dyeing the rug is carefully taken off from the loom for trimming, at this point, the artist carefully uses special scissors to cut and achieve an even pile height and a refined finish.
Final Steps
The knotting process takes a lot of time, in that time these rugs gather dust and get hardened while being attached to the loom. Due to this reason Moroccan rugs are washed and dried thoroughly two to three times so that their softness and shine return. Each rug is sundried naturally after which they are given for sale.
The Artistry and Heritage Behind Beni Ourain Rugs
The making of Beni Ourain rug is a very skillful and dedicated process. Each rug is completed after months of immaculate hand weaving, which involves several artisans and they combine to make a masterpiece. The result is stunning and highly sought-after artwork that can be cherished worldwide.
A Tradition Handed Down Through Generations
The art of Beni Ourain rug weaving has been going on for centuries. Traditionally, the knowledge of rug weaving is passed down through women of the Berber families. Each rug has unique design elements that represent the personal experiences and cultural heritage of the weavers. The common motifs present in these rugs are the themes of birth, rural life, spirituality, femininity, and fertility. Many people also believe that these rugs act as a protective charm against negative forces, incorporating tribal symbols and ceremonial markings.
Natural Colors and Materials
Most Berber rugs are made from natural ivory-colored sheep wool, which is taken from the body of the sheep, while deeper brown wool is taken from the head of the sheep. This careful selection of materials makes Beni Ourain rugs retain prestige and reverence throughout Morocco. Woven from the finest natural materials, they are a testament to the skill, heritage, and pride of their makers.
