The master weavers of Zanafi find functionality in the simplicity of their looms, creating exquisite flatwoven fabrics that reimagine traditional designs.
The latest addition to our collection hails from the distant reaches of Morocco's High Atlas, where the use of the loom distinguishes the region's textiles from the rest of the weaving tradition. Our Zanafi rugs, handmade by a community of women weavers who pass down their craft from generation to generation, achieve an ideal balance between timeless design and traditional techniques that define the Babakech spirit.
In the rugged, mountainous terrain in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the Ouarzazate region where these rugs are made, stretches across dramatic ridges and valleys, with peaks that soar past 14,000 feet. The area is home to diverse landscapes, ranging from desert plains, and semi-arid zones, to oases and valleys. Mining, agriculture, and tourism are key to the region’s economy, but thanks to the masterful skills of local weavers and a strong sense of community, the traditional Zanafi rugs and other textiles are making a new mark on the global marketplace.
Just a few decades ago, the Zanafi rug meant little to anyone outside the country, if not the region. However, to those in the know, the Berber rug now refers to a craft product that preserves cultural heritage, supports a vast community of weavers, and demonstrates excellent craftsmanship—thanks in large part to weaving cooperatives. Founded to empower rural women weavers and deliver their rugs to the world, the cooperative with whom we have collaborated manages the weaving process while we purchase the necessary materials, allowing the weavers to focus on their work. After the rug is ready, we handle the packaging and finishing, as well as shipping logistics.
Zanafi rugs are woven on traditional Moroccan looms, an uncomplicated device yet highly effective. These looms consist of nothing more than a sturdy wooden frame with two horizontal beams to hold the warp threads in place. The warp is stretched tightly across the frame, and tension is maintained by adjusting the position of the beams. A couple of hand tools are also used to manipulate the warp and weave the rug. While a plain rug is relatively easy to produce this way, the signature embroidered designs of Zaanfi require an expert hand and close attention to detail.
Zanafi has three main tribes: Aït Ouaouzguit, Aït Ziane, and Aït Bouguemez. Each tribe has its unique set of designs that can represent money, power, gender, status, age, and other qualities of the wearer. These symbols give the Zanafi weavers an endless source of artistic inspiration. The flatwoven rugs in this collection are inspired by everything diamonds, a traditional Berber symbol of the Zanafi region, which has been reinterpreted and translated into new contexts. The weavers possess an incredible ability to translate traditional designs into rugs in innovative ways to create new, timeless designs that remain rooted in tradition.
For decades, Zanafi women have used their looms to weave flatwoven rugs. However, cooperatives, like our partners, have transformed their lives, whether by providing additional revenue for their children's education or simply covering everyday needs. While women have always taken pride and joy in their textiles, the work itself has evolved from the type of unpaid women's labor that all too often goes unnoticed to a source of empowerment for weavers to supplement their income and create new opportunities for their families.
From seed to stitch, our partner cooperative's ideals are consistent with our objective to restore the art of handmade and support sustainable micro-economies. All-natural wool yarns are dyed with fiber-reactive dyes that are less harmful to the environment and the workers who use them. The timeless designs complement any modern environment and will remain fashionable for a long time. Being a member of the cooperative ensures the weavers a consistent and healthy income, providing them the option to pursue weaving professionally. We fell in love with these gorgeous, utilitarian carpets at first sight and only grew fonder as we learned more about them, and we're delighted to provide you the opportunity to do the same.
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