The Weaving Process
The art of weaving has been passed down through generations of Amazigh women for thousands of years. It is a sacred process where every step, from preparing the wool to the final knot, is steeped in tradition and meaning.
The wool
The soul of every Ourtan rug begins with the finest local wool. Sourced from sheep that roam freely in the Atlas Mountains, our artisans use only "live wool," sheared ethically from healthy animals. This sustainable method ensures the wool retains its natural strength and lanolin, resulting in a rug that is exceptionally durable, soft, and built to last a lifetime.
Preparing the Wool
The sheared wool begins its transformation, a process done entirely by hand. First, it is carefully washed and laid out to dry under the Moroccan sun. The artisans then meticulously card the fibers to align them, before using a traditional spindle to spin the raw fleece into the strong, consistent yarn that forms the heart of every rug.
The Art of Color
The vibrant colors in our rugs are born from the earth. Our craftswomen are masters of natural dyeing, using recipes passed down through generations. They transform local plants, spices, and minerals into a rich palette: pomegranate peels create deep reds, saffron and chamomile produce sunlit yellows, while olive leaves and wild mint offer a spectrum of greens. This organic process gives the wool a beautiful, nuanced depth of color that synthetic dyes can never replicate.
The Sacred Loom
The loom is the heart of the weaving process, a sacred space hand-built by the artisans. More than just a tool, it is blessed with rituals passed down through generations. To begin a new rug, a piece of sugar is broken against one side and a date is placed on the other—a prayer for a sweet, fruitful, and protected journey from the first knot to the last.
The Rhythm of the Knot
Here, the true magic begins. Seated at the loom, the weaver ties every single knot by hand, a process of incredible patience and skill. For weeks, she follows a pattern held only in her memory, her fingers moving with a practiced rhythm. A single rug can contain tens of thousands of individual knots, each one a vital part of the story taking shape.
Securing the Weave
After each row of knots is complete, the weaver uses a traditional heavy metal comb, known as a tazla. This tool is brought down with a firm hand to compact the knots tightly, locking the pattern into place and ensuring the rug's foundation is dense, strong, and exceptionally durable.
The Birth of the Rug
After weeks or months of patient work, the moment of completion arrives. The rug is carefully cut from the loom in a moment of celebration, revealing the finished creation for the first time. The weavers then finish the piece by skillfully hand-tying the warp threads at each end to create the rug’s traditional tassels.
The Final Wash
As a final step, each rug receives a ritual cleansing bath. It is gently washed with water and natural soap to remove any dust and to soften the wool fibers. It is then laid out to dry under the open sky, where the Moroccan sun awakens the brilliance of the natural dyes and gives the rug its final, beautiful character.
