Morocco, Atelier Talasin, Handwoven Rugs

In the heart of Morocco, at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, Atelier Talasin is a local co-operative of master weavers and dyers from the Amazigh tribe, dedicated to crafting authentic and contemporary handmade Moroccan rugs. 

Talasin, meaning “tales” in the Amazigh language, ​seeks to revive and foster long-forgotten heritage weaves, natural dyeing techniques and design practices respectful of the local culture.

Their locally sourced wool comes from the ​rare Siroua sheep. Prized throughout Morocco for its soft, silky fibres, this ​unique breed is shepherded by nomads along ancient routes on the eastern flanks of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.​ Applying age-old techniques the raw fleece is then hand-washed by village women in high mountain streams and hand-spun on traditional drop spindles in their own homes.​ Emerging from their own dyeing studio, using the Henna plant as the primary ingredient to dye the wool and create a colour palette of over 50 shades. This ancient natural dye reflects the tones of Morocco’s landscape, infusing the textiles with a deep, earthen colour.​ 

The dyed yarn is finally brought to the weaving atelier where the cooperative of over 60 women artisans weave both flatweave and pile knot rugs. In a mission of recovery, ​they employ the Berber Knot for all hand-knotted pile rugs.​ Thought to be entirely replaced by Turkish and colonial counterparts, this long-lost practice imparts a unique texture and shape​, ​unifying each ​woven piece with the region and its people.

​The goal of Atelier Talasin is to create a self-sustaining community, breathing new life into ancient traditions​ and crafting truly indigenous woven textiles.

To follow the story of Atelier Talasin, find them on social media here.