These large rectangular carpets generally adapt to the size of tents and rooms in low houses and may be used as bedding because of their thickness. Predominantly red , the carpets woven within the middle atlas are the prerogative of Zanagah, the Zemmour, Ait Youssi, Guerrouane, Beni M’tir, Beni M’guild, Zaiane, Beni Ouarain tribes, etc..
Each carpet has its own personality, but they’re not always easily identifiable from one another . the center Atlas carpets, around Meknes, are dominated by red , with multiple shades, the wind, the flap, the brown, the ivory white melt into it in small touches. On the opposite hand, within the Middle Atlas East, the carpets of the Beni Ouarain are distinguished by their unbleached color, their shiny wool and their simple black or brown geometric patterns.
In Zanagah where the pastures are abundant, the wool is of a superior quality, and therefore the carpets are knotted with numerous and really tight strands obtained by the succession of Berber knots. These carpets of high wool are robust and their long soft fleece lets appear the composition on the short face of the carpet.
The geometrical rigour of the patterns contrasts with the liberty of composition and therefore the asymmetry which characterizes the structure of those carpets. The arrangement of triangles, rhombuses, broken lines, stars and checkers gives the general composition an interesting balance. Rare are the carpets with a central pattern.
The height of the wool strands -or carpet- can reach several centimeters or not exceed a couple of millimeters counting on the region. Exposed to wear and tear, the sides of the carpets are reinforced by doubling the external threads of the warp at the time of the assembly of this one. within the east of Morocco, the carpets are already inspired by Algeria.
within the region of Oujda and Taourirt, the carpets of massive dimensions, very elongated, with bright colors, form a group distinct from the opposite Moroccan rugs One meets them only rarely and almost only in their region of origin.
