There is a frequent misunderstanding to Berber rugs and carpets about what Berber really means. Some people think the phrase means a particular kind of fiber used to create the rugs and carpeting.
Initially, we had been guilty of making exactly the same oversight. Then, we learned that Berber in fact is the term for a unique kind of weave used in the process for the rugs and carpeting that bear that name.
The term itself reflects back to the Berbers, a group of people that are indigenous to Northern Africa (particularly Morocco) together with the Nile Valley.
The Berbers have already been creating woven textiles for hundreds of years. The majority of the traditional Berber weavers have been females. There is a rich history of the women showing their personality in their woven works of art.
The original Berber weavers used a variety of colorings and designs consisting of abstract patterns. The more contemporary Western variety of Berber rugs and carpets is also available in several colors, however they do not have the assorted patterns of the genuine weave.
Western area rugs created using a Berber weave frequently feature variants of a color to give the completed item a speckled look. This speckled look might help hide dirt, vacuum cleaner tracks, and a number of unsightly stains, making it a great choice for areas of high foot traffic as well as light commercial applications.
Floor coverings created using the Berber weave are generally recognized by tightly looped fibers that have been woven in parallel lines. The low low pile that is produced is renowned for strength and durability.
A Berber weave is different from other weaves because of loops of different levels. This kind of weave makes use of both large and small tufts of material and this produces a less regular pattern than area rugs produced with similar size loops.
Berber rugs and carpets can be produced from various types of supplies, such as wool, nylon, polyester or olefin. They can even be produced from a blend of two or more materials.
Rug professionals we have spoken to convey that 100-percent wool or 100-percent nylon are the most effective material options for Berber rugs and carpets. Other materials utilized in a Berber weave might not be as durable as wool or nylon. However, there will be exceptions, depending on the producer and specifically if they used any type of stain-resistant treatment method.
Usually the one disadvantage to Berber rugs and carpet is because they might be difficult to thoroughly clean. This is due to dirt gets into the dense fibers and many vacuum cleaners are simply just inadequate to get that dirt out very well. Many times, it requires specialized cleaning regularly to help keep the larger Berber floor covers looking the most beautiful. Some individuals with Berber rugs say it will help very much to give the rug an old-fashioned rug beating from time to time.
You will still find numerous Berber families in a number of the Northern Africa countries that rely on the revenue created from the selling of hand crafted rugs and carpets. The creations are offered in local marketplaces and tourist shops. Some of the woven products find their way to other locations to the delight of folks in search of Berber originals.