Taznakht is a town in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Also called Ait Ouaouzguite. Taznakht rugs are hand woven using the traditional Moroccan methods and they are made of premium wool quality, using different pure Amazigh designs and mostly earthy colors palettes.
Taznakht is a town in Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet region, southern Morocco, on the road from Ouarzazate to Agadir. It should not be confused with Tazenakht. They might be also called Ait Ouaouzguite rugs.
In this collection, Babakech provides a huge selection of vintage rugs handwoven by these tribes around the mid 20th century. These rugs are made of premium-quality of wool, with a unique design and color palettes, mostly earthy. Each rug is a one of a kind masterpiece, as these women do not have a specific design to follow, they get creative by adding meaningful symbols and sometimes they even add Amazighen letters to enhance the story they are telling in their rugs, a story that is known only by the women who made them. They usually dye them using natural elements such as Henna, saffron...
Taznakht rugs are more than just rugs, they are history being told by pure Amazighen craftspeople. Add a warm, nostalgic touch to your space.
A rotating collection of Taznakht rugs recognized by the unique formations inspired by the shapes and characteristics of Moroccan desert dwellings, all over a field of earthy colors. The master weavers of Taznakht find functionality in the creativity of their low-pile and flatwoven rugs, creating colorful designs that pay homage to their nomadic tradition.
Hailing 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 Moroccan weaving tradition. Our Taznakht 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 Taznakht 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, 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 Taznakht rug and other textiles are making a new mark on the global marketplace.
Just a few decades ago, the Taznakht rug meant little to anyone outside the country, if not the region. However, to those who know, the Moroccan rug now refers to a craft that preserves cultural heritage, supports a vast community of weavers, and demonstrates excellent craftsmanship—thanks to the large part of weaving cooperatives. Founded to empower rural women weavers and deliver their handmade 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 Taznakht rug is ready, we handle the packaging and finishing, as well as shipping logistics.
Taznakht 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 the Taznakht rug require an expert hand and close attention to detail.
Taznakht has three main tribes: Aït Ouaouzguit, Aït Semgane, and Aït Zineb. 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 Taznakht weavers an endless source of artistic inspiration. These Moroccan rugs for sale are inspired by everything dwelling in nature, a staple of the Taznakht region, which has been reinterpreted and translated into new contexts and textures. 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, Taznakht women have used their looms to weave Taznakht 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.
Our objective is and will always be to maintain the art of handmade Taznakht rugs and other Moroccan rugs while supporting the rural women who weave them. Premium natural wool is dyed by hand with natural dyes sourced from all over nature. The complex designs seen in the Taznakht rug will complete any modern or Boho space and will stay in-style for a really long time (If well maintained). We are also ensuring the weavers a consistent and healthy income, providing them the option to pursue weaving professionally. We fell in love with these gorgeous tribal rugs at first sight, and it's growing the more we learn more about them, and we're delighted to provide you the opportunity to do the same.
