A graphic Azilal rug from the 1980s, from the eastern High Atlas with a slightly distorted checkerboard motif in warm ivory and shades of dark brown, broken up by linear accents. This elongated rug has a wild, expressive surface and a rather loose structure and a coarsely processed wool which points to more eastern origins. Such examples, reflecting a rather primitive, archaic style, were created before industrial yarns became widespread and gradually replaced or supplemented wool in newer carpets from the region.

The attribution AZILAL is given to rugs that are made by Berber tribes living in the province Azilal. The province extends north of the main chain of the High Atlas to the southern foothills of the Middle Atlas. Most important tribal groups in the area are the Ait Atta Noumalou, Ait Bouguemez, Ait Shokhmane and Ait bou Oulli. Their expressive weavings were originally made with undyed wool and primarily found in the area around the Ait Bouguemez valley and among the Ait Boulli. The considered typical Azilal rug has a black or brown geometric design on a white background. Rugs with a red background come from the eastern part of the region, from the Ait Shokhmane and the Ait Bouzid, bordering the southern Boujad region. Most of the Azilal rugs one can find in today’s market were being produced between the 1980s until today. Their characteristics are slightly different incorporating colorful, industrial yarns and recycled textile scraps.