Large Berber Women’s Coat – Afaggou – Ida Ou Nadif Tribe, Morocco

Early to mid 20th century. Wool. Approximately mm. 4.000 x 1.330 (13.12 x 4.36 Feet). Good conditions. Rare piece.

See p. 199 of “Splendeurs du Maroc”, by African Museum Tervuren. For more information and similar examples, “African Textiles: Colour and Creativity Across a Continent”, by John Gillow and “”Tapis Berbères du Maroc – La symbolique origines et signification”, by Bruno Barbatti, ACR Edition.

Berbers are the indigenous ethnic group of North Africa. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. The name Berber appeared for the first time after the end of the Roman Empire. Many Berbers call themselves some variant of the word imazighen (singular: Amazigh), possibly meaning “free people” or “free and noble men”. Today, most Berber-speaking people live in Morocco and Algeria.