When shopping for a Moroccan rug, you may come across heritage names like Beni Ourain, Boujad, Azilal, Bouchourite, or Mrirt. It can be confusing not knowing what each of these names mean. 

These names are more than labels—they signify cultural origins and craftsmanship that can greatly impact the rug’s price. And knowing what each heritage name means can serve as a valuable shopping guide, so you can identify clearly high valuable rugs vs. lower value rugs and know you are paying a fair price or getting a more durable, luxury rug. 

This article we will focus on the rug labeled as a 'Mrirt' and what makes it so special, highlighting the unique qualities that set it apart from other Moroccan rugs.

What Is a Mrirt Rug? And What Makes It More Expensive?

In the world of rug sourcing, Mrirt rugs are highly sought after. They are known for their dense, velvety texture, modern minimalist designs, and long-lasting quality.

 A “Mrirt rug” means it was handwoven near the town of Mrirt in the Khénifra province in central Morocco. This is the Middle Atlas mountain region.

These rugs are handwoven from the finest wool sourced from mountain-raised sheep. The weavers use a double-knot technique, making these rugs heavy, durable, and luxuriously plush.

We like to think of Mrirt rug as the “cashmere sweater” of Moroccan rugs—it’s refined, enduring, and made to last a lifetime.

How Mrirt Rugs Are Made: The Artisan Process

It All Starts with the Sheep

The journey of a Mrirt rug all begins with the source of the wool-- the sheep.

This region has a unique high-altitude environment which provides cooler temperatures and fertile green pastures. This environment is perfect for raising sheep with denser, longer wool that is lanolin-rich, making it naturally resistant to moisture and dirt.

Much like Merino wool from New Zealand is known for its exceptional softness and used in luxury clothing, Mrirt wool from the Middle Atlas Mountains stands out as one of Morocco’s finest materials for premium, long-lasting luxury rugs.

Processing the Wool

The freshly shorn wool is washed by hand to remove dirt and natural oils, then carded—a combing process that untangles the fibers, making them smooth and ready for spinning.

Skilled artisans hand-spin the wool into thick yarn, in a spinning technique that is unique to the region. Every Berber tribe has their own secret way of spinning wool that can only be taught by the previous generation of weavers. The hand spun Mrirt wool is another aspect that makes these rugs so special. 

The wool is dyed using plant-based materials found in the region. This step is a delicate art that requires deep knowledge of dyeing materials:

• Pomegranate Skins: Produce soft reds and warm oranges.

• Madder Root: Make shades of deep red, brown and terracotta.

• Henna Leaves: Create earthy browns and greens.

• Indigo Plants: Yield deep, rich blues.

The yarn is boiled in large vats to absorb the dye. After drying in the mountain sun, the wool is ready for weaving.

The Weaving Process

Traditional vertical wooden looms are used, often built by hand. The warp threads (long vertical strands) are stretched tightly to create a strong base.

Mrirt rugs are known for their double knot, known as the Ghiordes (Turkish) knot, where weavers tie each knot around two warp threads. This creates the dense, velvety texture that makes Mrirt rugs stand out, but it also makes the knotting more labor intensive. This labor intensive process contributes to the higher value. 

And every knot tells a story. Weavers use rugs to express themselves in amazingly artistic and creative ways, which is important to Berber life. They add Berber motifs like diamonds, zigzags, and crosses based on personal history, tribal heritage, and cultural or spiritual beliefs.

How Long Does It Take to Make a Mrirt Rug?

Creating a single Mrirt rug (from the raw start to the finished product) can take weeks or even months, depending on its size and complexity. For example:

• Small Rug (2x3 ft): 2-4 weeks

• Medium Rug (5x8 ft): 2-3 months

• Large Rug (8x10 ft or larger): 4-6 months

This timeline reflects the dedication and craftsmanship involved, ensuring that every Mrirt rug is one-of-a-kind.

How to Identify a Mrirt Rug: Spot the Fake Vs. Real Thing

When looking for a Mrirt rug, it is important to pay attention to the details so you can know if you are buying a real Mrirt rug. There are some key identifiers you can be equipped with when investigating. 

Look at the Texture of the Wool

Authentic Mrirt rugs should feel thick, soft, and look slightly shiny due to its natural lanolin content, giving the rug a refined texture. While the pile is not brushed, the type of wool spinning in Mrirt rugs gives the pile such a soft texture that it can appear brushed with a luxuriously short shag. 

Look at the Back of the Rug

Turn the rug over and inspect the back. A genuine Mrirt rug will have tightly packed knots created using the double-knot method. The back should be completely flat and have rows of tight uniform knots.

In the photo above you can observe the rug on the left has single rows of tighter knots showing it is a Mrirt rug, whereas the rug on the right has alternating rows of looser knots, meaning it is likely not a Mrirt rug. 

You should not see any fabric attached to the backing, straight machine-made stitching, or glue, as true Mrirt rugs are entirely handwoven.

Observe the Weight of the Rug

Mrirt rugs are noticeably heavy due to their dense wool pile and tight weave. If the rug feels lightweight or thin, it is likely not an authentic Mrirt rug.

Look at the Colors and Designs of the Rug

Mrirt rugs often have minimalist geometric patterns in earthy or muted tones like warm browns, soft reds and pinks, and navy or indigo blues. These colors, extracted from natural plant-based dyes, should appear slightly uneven and fade into a patina gracefully over time. They typically do not have bright, neon, or one-toned colors. 

If you can’t feel the rug in person, you can ask the seller for these details as well as more photos to make sure you are getting what you pay for. 

Pricing of Mrirt Rugs

The pricing of Mrirt rugs depends on factors such as size, design complexity, materials, and age. They are typically more expensive than Beni Ourain, Boujad, Azilal and Boucherouite rugs. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when shopping for an authentic Mrirt rug:

By understanding these factors, you can find a Mrirt rug that fits both your style and budget, while also supporting authentic Berber craftsmanship.

Dangers of Purchasing Cheaper Rugs on Unregulated Online Platforms

Buying a Mrirt Moroccan rug on platforms like Etsy, Wayfair or Amazon can be convenient due to the wide selection and lower prices, but there are some risks to be aware of when shopping for cheaper rugs. 

Many sellers mislead buyers by falsely labeling machine-made rugs as “handwoven” or “authentic.” Instead of genuine wool, these lower-cost rugs are frequently made from synthetic fibers like polyester or acrylic, which are less durable, less soft, and more prone to wear over time. 

Be aware that certain markets have different regulatory practices set in place. Businesses in the US, Europe, and Canada are typically more regulated than those selling directly from Morocco. Global reaching platforms have made trade more accessible to sellers in Morocco. This is great for reputable and honest sellers; however, it has also increased predatory practices. If you are unfamiliar with the market conditions and purchasing processes in these regions, it is wise to proceed with caution.

But most important of all, cheaper prices on authentic handwoven rugs means that the artisan is likely not getting a fair wage for their labor. Berber weavers are predominantly women who are isolated in rural areas and do not have the ability to sell their rugs on their own. They rely on middlemen who often pay them too little for their work.

If purchasing directly from Morocco, whenever possible it is best to buy rugs directly from cooperatives and artisans to ensure they are paid a fair price. Cooperatives are set up so weavers own a portion of the business and get a percentage of the profit once the rug sells. 

There are more and more cooperatives building an online presence, and these are ideal businesses to purchase from if sourcing directly from Morocco. On Etsy or Instagram, in their bio or product description they will list if they are part of a cooperative.

Explore More: Curious about other Moroccan rugs? Check out our guides on Beni Ourain, Boujad, Azilal, and Taznakht rugs to find the perfect match for your style!