Berber is a highly diverse style of carpet that can complement various decors quite well. While once only imagined for leisure rooms, it is now a popular choice for all parts of the house. The appearance and durability of Berber carpet have made it an attractive choice for homes and offices alike.
What is Berber Carpet?
The term Berber generally refers to a carpet that is generally light in color with darker (usually brown or gray) borders and is woven with a distinct loop pile inspired by the weaving style of the Berber people of North Africa.
Typically, Berber is often found in loop pile styles. As loop styles became more popular, color choices also expanded in this type of carpet. Therefore, instead of being offered only in a few colors associated with Berber carpet, looped carpets are available in many colors. However, the name Berber remains on them. Thus, today this name refers more to the loop style than the color.
Climatic and geographical conditions:
Morocco is not a particularly vast country; it covers an area of about 624,767 square kilometers in northwestern Africa. It connects to Spain via the Strait of Gibraltar. Its capital, Rabat, is one of the ports along the Atlantic Ocean.
The climate is Mediterranean, and the Atlantic coast has suitable farmland, especially for cotton cultivation. Morocco also has a relatively good livestock industry, with wool from local animals commonly used in carpets. Cotton has been one of Morocco's staple products, and from 1920, the country was under Spanish rule, gaining independence in 1956 alongside Tunisia.
The Atlas Mountains divide Morocco into three sections: the Lower Atlas, High Atlas, and Middle Atlas. Rabat, Fes, and Meknes are located south of the Middle Atlas range, which has been home to Berber nomadic tribes for centuries.
The people of Morocco come from Mediterranean, Semitic, and Berber ethnic groups. The Berbers are considered Morocco’s indigenous population, though their origins remain unclear. In the south of Morocco live the Tuareg nomads, believed to be of Iranian descent.
Archaeological findings suggest that they are the remnants of Persian soldiers from Cambyses IV of the Sasanian dynasty. During an attempt to conquer Egypt, they encountered a desert storm that prevented their advance. Later, another army from Cambyses IV successfully captured Egypt.
The climate in northern and western Morocco is mild, while the eastern and southern regions are warmer. This climate supports agriculture, with 85% of the population working in farming, primarily cultivating grains and cotton. Morocco's economy relies heavily on agriculture, followed by mining, with phosphate, manganese, oil, and iron among its main resources.
History of Morocco:
Due to its strategic location, Morocco has drawn the attention of various empires throughout history. Before the advent of Islam, it was colonized at different times by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Vandals, and Byzantines (Romans). The Carthaginians introduced new agricultural methods to the local population, and the Byzantine Empire maintained influence in the region long after the Romans. In the 7th century, Muslims entered the Maghreb, including Morocco.
The main ethnic group in Morocco is Berber, a term given by the Romans, which they used to refer to tribal or clan-based societies. The Arabs called the region "Maghreb" because it was where the sun set from their perspective. From that time, dynasties such as the Idrisids and Almohads ruled Morocco. In the 15th century, local resistance prevented the Ottoman Empire from seizing control of Morocco. Until the French took over in the early 20th century (1912), local dynasties like the Almoravids and Marinids held power, with Fes and later Rabat as their capitals.
The French ruled Morocco for around 45 years, until the country gained independence in 1956, establishing a monarchy that continues to this day. Tangier, Rabat, Fes, and Marrakesh are among Morocco’s oldest cities, rich with architectural and artistic heritage from various Islamic periods.
Moroccan Carpet Weaving:
The art of carpet weaving in Morocco has its roots in traditional flatweaving, known as *hanbel*, which has a long-standing history. *Hanbels* are adorned with regular geometric designs arranged in horizontal rows with extra weft yarns.
Moroccan kilims (flat-woven carpets) have traditionally been made in rural and nomadic communities and are typically woven entirely from wool, with cotton weft rarely used. Moroccan kilims date back at least 3,000 years, with well-known kilim-weaving tribes including Beni N'zmir, Beni Qurain, Kaloua, Zayan, Zemmour, and Beni Mguild.
Pile carpet weaving, known for producing Berber rugs, is a more recent development, and these carpets, with their distinct long pile, originated in the last few centuries. Urban carpets, with shorter piles in contrast to Berber rugs, have a shorter history.
Most urban carpets date to the late 19th and 20th centuries. These carpets are generally categorized into two main styles: Rabat and Mediouna. The Rabat style is influenced by Eastern Turkish designs, while the Mediouna style is inspired by Andalusian patterns.
In the early decades of the 20th century, designs often mimicked Turkish medallion motifs or prayer rugs, and these carpets were commonly woven in long, narrow sizes.
Recently, in the Fes region, Iranian-style carpets known as *sikh-e seh* have gained popularity and caught the interest of the Moroccan people.
Another category of Moroccan carpets is the Berber rug, known for its thick weave, with a pile height of at least 2.5 cm and a knot density of 12 knots per 10 cm. The designs in Berber carpets feature simple diamond-shaped geometric patterns arranged in various ways, often without much attention to symmetrical composition.
In addition to the diamonds, which form the foundation of Berber designs, basic geometric shapes or simplified images of everyday objects like teapots, combs, and small animals are often included. Highly simplified human figures also appear.
The diamond motif in Berber carpets is believed to serve as a mirror, thought to reflect away any evil gaze or malevolent intent. Typically, the background of Berber carpets is plain, with a few patterns woven spontaneously in natural-colored fibers, often in shades of brown. Cream, beige, and occasionally red backgrounds are common in these carpets. A type of Berber carpet known as *aghritel* is also prevalent.
Influence of Islamic and Iranian Culture on Moroccan Carpets:
The use of prayer rug motifs, including the *mihrab* design, in Moroccan kilims and carpets reflects the influence of Islamic culture on Moroccan weaving. Additionally, the representation of human and animal figures in an unabstracted form became prohibited in Morocco after the advent of Islam.
Affordable Cost of Berber Carpet Types
One of the reasons Berber has become increasingly popular is its affordability compared to other styles of carpet. These carpets are available at various price points that can be quite cost-effective compared to other types of floor coverings.
However, you will receive greater durability from Berber compared to other carpets. There are multiple reasons for this. The first reason is that many Berbers are made from olefin fiber. Olefin is much less expensive than other fibers like nylon or wool.
Another reason Berbers have a lower price than their counterparts is that their manufacturing costs are lower. All carpets start by being looped. To create the necessary cuts, such as saxony and frieze, the tops of the loops are cut. In Berber carpets, the loop remains closed, so this part of the production process can be omitted.
Excellent Durability of Berber Carpets
Another reason for the popularity of Berber is that they tend to have greater durability compared to other carpet styles. In fact, looped fiber is inherently stronger than cut pile, but that doesn't mean all Berbers are more durable than other styles.
A lower-quality Berber may not have as much durability as a mid-grade saxony, for example. Like anything else, to make a true comparison of the value of a Berber versus another style of residential carpet, you have to compare two products of similar quality. However, as mentioned, you can often get better durability for the same money.
What Features and Uses Does Berber Carpet Have?
Berber carpets, with a long history of being woven in Berber tribes, represent a unique type of carpet that has served homeowners for decades with its distinctive style and valuable performance. Choosing the right carpet for your home depends on various factors such as durability, decoration preferences, stain resistance, and cleaning method needed.
Thanks to their low pile structure, Berber carpets offer exceptional durability, stain resistance, and incredible wear resistance. Even when subjected to heavy traffic, Berber carpets exhibit high flexibility and their weave does not separate. Additionally, unlike other types of carpets, footprints do not remain visible on them, and they are easily cleaned.
While many carpets can create a suitable level of stain resistance, Berber can actually resist stains and absorb spills, liquid leakage, and dirt less. This quality also helps with the removal of dirt, pet hair, and dust.
When it comes to pets, it's important to keep their nails and claws trimmed to prevent them from catching on the carpet loops and also to prevent them from pulling out the carpet loops. With proper maintenance and care, Berber carpets can last up to 20 years in an average home without the need for replacement.
Types of Berber Carpets
There are two types of Berber-style carpets, including modern carpets and traditional carpets . Modern Berber carpet is a loop pile carpet similar to the handwoven knots used in traditional woolen carpets. Manufacturers use materials such as wool and synthetic fibers like olefin, also known as polypropylene, and a combination of various materials to produce them.
Modern Berber features a light-colored background with darker patterns and multiple colors underneath. On the other hand, traditional Berber carpets are made using natural materials such as wool and are handwoven. Similar to what Berber people have been producing for centuries. Traditional Berber carpets use a knot instead of a loop and have colorful geometric patterns against a bright and uniform background.
Advantages of Using Berber Carpets
Berber carpets offer many advantages to homeowners, including:
Affordability of Various Berber Types
Manufacturers produce Berber carpets from various materials. Wool Berber carpets are the most expensive type, but options like olefin, polyester, and nylon fibers are comparable in price and appearance to many other types of loop pile carpets.
High Durability of Berber Carpets
Berber carpets are a great choice for high-traffic areas in homes and offices because they have suitable durability. Moreover, it's difficult to separate materials from the loop piles. Their ability to withstand heavy traffic has made them popular choices for bedrooms in the past. Nowadays, Berber carpets are ideal for high-traffic areas such as living rooms and offices.
Stain Resistance
When liquids are spilled on the surface, they gather on the tight surface weave of the carpet, allowing you to quickly clean them with a damp cloth. While a simple vacuum cleaner easily collects solid materials, carpets are less resistant to deeper stains, especially those with oily or chemical qualities. It's important to note that you should not choose lower-quality Berber carpets solely because of their lower price.
Disadvantages of Berber Carpets
Using Berber carpets in homes also has disadvantages, including:
Incompatibility with Pets
Berber carpets and pets often don't mix well. While it's unlikely that pet claws will get caught in the low pile, the carpet fibers can be attractive to cats who like to use them as a toy. Over time, this scratching can damage the carpet, especially if it's of lower quality.
Rough Texture of Berbers
Berber carpets have less softness compared to pile carpets. Some carpet fibers used for Berbers, like olefin, can even feel stiff underfoot. Berber carpets made from wool or wool-blend carpets mixed with nylon and chemical combination fibers called triexta are the best for softness in this type.
Issues with Vacuuming
While Berber carpets usually withstand regular cleaning, a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar can worsen matting and cause loose threads in the carpet weave. The best practice is to change the powerhead or turn off the beater bar when vacuuming.
Cleaning Methods for Berber Carpets
While keeping plush carpets, frieze, or saxony carpets clean in an active household can be challenging, Berber carpets can be very suitable. They are loop pile carpets, meaning the actual fibers form short, thick loops that are woven front and back to create a sturdy structure.
A mild detergent is an essential cleaning tool for stains on Berber carpets. Spraying mild detergent directly onto the stain helps to draw out moisture immediately. Then, you can vacuum the mild detergent to remove the moisture and prevent it from mold and permanent staining.
After using mild detergent to remove excess moisture, a mixture of vinegar and water can be applied in the same way as using cold water and then cleaned. Always start with a small amount of solution and then increase it if necessary to avoid over-wetting your carpet.
Conclusion
Berber carpets are a style of flooring characterized by a distinctive loop pile structure and overall light color with darker lines. They are a popular and versatile choice for both commercial and residential carpets as they are durable, relatively affordable, and resistant to staining. The term "Berber" refers to the Berber tribes of North Africa and the Sahara region, who have been handcrafting Berber carpets for thousands of years.
