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Traditional Berber Rugs In The Modern World

We have all seen those beautifully made Berber carpets. Some of us already own it, while others are considering getting one. But, how much do you really know about its history, the tradition behind it, and generally the rugs themselves? I guess, not much. You can go here to know more.

Well, brace yourselves, because it’s time to do some learning. Don’t worry, this won’t be a tedious history class. But, these attractive floor coverings deserve a moment or two of our attention. And I promise I will make it interesting.

The History Of Moroccan Berber Rugs

In few words, they go way back. Think – the Paleolithic era.  And they have been created according to the same traditions for centuries. Of course, they were once hand-woven using wool from a sheared sheep, and this process might be a bit different today. But, the principle behind it stays the same.

Additionally, all the symbols and the signs you see on the matting were a symbol of a particular belief related to religion and culture of the Berbers. There is also a belief that these signs were used as hieroglyphs in ancient Egypt, for passing on legends and myths to future generations. Imagine that – communicating through a carpet.Speaking of symbols, these coverings have long been considered a symbol of wealth and could be found only with the rich Moroccan families, in palaces, or places of worship. The smaller ones were even used as praying mats. So, the next time you come across an attractive traditional Moroccan Berber rug collection, remember the symbolism and choose a design that you feel has a nice story behind it. Better yet, make your own stories with it and attach new meanings to this already meaningful product.

Let’s continue along the same lines. Have you ever noticed how these rugs feature bold geometric designs, with numerous colors and shapes? If we dig a bit deeper into this symbolism, we will find that these designs were considered to possess some protective powers.

For example, it is said that there was a ritual of burning the edges of Moroccan carpets in order to fend off evil spirits. Huh, it seems that these were not only magical to the eye, but magical in general. I wonder if they kept some of that magic and brought it to the times we live in today.

Berber Rugs Advantages Today

While the traditions and rituals behind these floor coverings are rather mystical and immensely interesting, there remains a question of why they should still be used today. I suppose communication is not the reason. And neither are demons, I hope. Then, what is so great about these that we still use them in the modern world?

If you want to learn more about the history of the Berbers, start here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berber

For starters, there are a couple of materials to choose from when getting this rug. They include nylon, wood, and Olefin fiber. This depends on your preferences. But, the good thing is – no matter which material you choose, your carpet will be highly durable and resistant. This is of crucial importance, since nobody wants to change their floorings every couple of months.

Furthermore, thanks to the techniques used in production, Berber rugs pride themselves in being able to stay warm during winter, and feel cooler in the summer. Could this be a remnant of that magic mentioned above? I guess we will never know.

And, if this wasn’t enough, stain resistance comes into play. Is there anything more annoying that getting a new matting and then immediately spilling something on it? Then, when you can’t clean it properly, you accept your fate and decide to live with the stains. This is highly unlikely to happen with the magical Moroccan carpet on your floor.

After deciding on the type and material, what is the next thing you look for in a floor covering? The color, of course. You want it to fit in perfectly with your overall interior and not look like something that was randomly inserted there. And, when you decide on a color, you really don’t want it to fade and change significantly over time. Well, a Berber rug definitely won’t.

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