MEJJAT N° 257AA


A woman’s Berber haik from the Mejjat tribe in Southern Morocco, second half 20th century, originally worn as an everyday garment. This textile shows a strong graphic composition, oscillating between fine dotted lines and bold thick stripes, and is an absolutely outstanding example of its kind. 

 

Please note: this haik is published in HALI 200 in the article ‘An Infinity of Stripes’ found on the editorial page of this website. Written by Lucien Viola, a textile collector based in Marrakech, and myself, the article explores two different points of view on striated garments from the Anti Atlas region in Morocco.


Dimensions
204 × 117 cm
6'6" × 3'8"
Pile
flatweave
Condition
Very good

Price
sold




MEJJAT is a small tribal territory in the most southern part of the Anti-Atlas, at the edge of the Sahara, located about 90 km southeast of Tiznit. The tribe is relatively small and divided into four moieties. Striated garments have been worn by the women of this region and are among the most striking everyday textiles of the entire Anti-Atlas region. Most of these haiks (or blankets) are woven in various shades of undyed wool with the exception of some examples incorporating color.