In the sun-drenched town of Taznakht, nestled in southeastern Morocco near the Sirwa Mountains, the rhythmic clatter of wooden looms echoes a centuries-old tradition. Here, the Ouaouzguit rug is more than a decorative object—it is a living symbol of Amazigh identity, feminine expression, and cultural continuity.

At the heart of this tradition is the Aguiness rug cooperative, an all-women’s workshop where artisans like Naima Akhraze transform raw wool into vibrant tapestries of memory and meaning. “These rugs were once part of a bride’s dowry,” explains Abderrahmane Janah, director of the Women’s Carpet Centre. “They were a way for women to express their creativity and emotions.”

The process begins with natural wool from local sheep, washed, spun, and dyed using plant-based pigments—henna, saffron, pomegranate peel, and indigo. “These dyes are healthy and don’t cause allergies,” says Akhraze. “They also stay fixed and don’t bleed when washed.”

Each rug is a coded language of symbols: geometric patterns that speak of fertility, protection, family, and the human bond with the land. The designs are not drawn in advance but emerge intuitively, guided by the weaver’s mood and memory.

Traditionally woven at home, rug-making has shifted into cooperative spaces as women seek to preserve the craft and secure a livelihood. The Women’s Centre for the Promotion of the Taznakht Carpet, founded in 2016, now unites 35 cooperatives and 3,500 women, producing up to 300 rugs per month.

Yet, challenges remain. Despite the artistry and labor involved—some rugs take weeks or months to complete—many artisans earn only a fraction of the final sale price. In cities like Marrakech, these rugs are resold for up to ten times their original value.

To counter this, initiatives like direct-to-buyer exhibitions and digital marketing training are helping women bypass exploitative middlemen. “If this heritage isn’t made financially viable, we risk losing it,” warns cooperative leader Safia Imnoutres.

The rugs are also gaining international recognition. Earlier this year, the Palais Bahia in Marrakech hosted The Soul of a Rug, an immersive exhibition that transported visitors to Taznakht through VR installations, highlighting the artisans’ stories and the spiritual depth of their work.

As Morocco grapples with modernization and climate pressures, the women of Taznakht stand as guardians of ancestral knowledge, weaving not just wool, but resistance, memory, and hope into every thread.

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