Beni Ouarain rugs

These shaggy pile rugs featuring soft black abstract archaic-looking patterns against ivory backgrounds are hand woven by the Beni Ouarain, a Berber tribe in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

One part of each family cultivate fields in the valleys, while the others migrates with their flocks and tents to the mountains in summer, descending in winter to the hill country.

In these mountain regions one can still find the ancient breed of small sheep whose excellent wool is responsible for the quality of Beni Ouarain rugs.