Berber culture, traditions and tattoos in interior design

Introduction

Inspired by a craft rich in colors and materials, Berber decoration is essential in our modern homes. Its style adapts to any type of decoration and is considered today as an essential decorative trend. Rugs, cushions and even Berber-style tableware are in fashion. But what is the origin of this culture and style?

...the name “ Amazigh ” which means “ Free Man ”. 

Berber culture

The origin of Berber culture

The name “ Berber” comes from the Greek word “ Barbaros” which designated a foreign person in the sense that he did not speak the Greek language. It was the Romans who gave the name Berber to this separate people: the Berber people . However, the Berber people prefer the name “ Amazigh ” which means “ Free Man ”. 

Berber culture is defined first by its language. For centuries, it has been an oral culture, that of stories that are exchanged, tales told around the campfire, proverbs, and songs of marching, during the long crossings of the desert.

It is difficult to date the arrival of the Berbers, yet the culture has remained very strong over the centuries, and for those who have lived in Morocco for a little while, it is easy to recognize, even without speaking the language, the difference between Berber and Arabic, whose sounds are different, even if the languages ​​are neighbors. For more than two thousand years, the Amazigh culture has resisted assimilation, which is probably why, very often, in the depths of a small village, or in the tent of a nomad, one has the impression that time is no longer the same, and that one has gone on a strange journey, which takes one back to an ancient time.

Berber traditions

The Berber people in Morocco and all their Mediterranean, African, Oriental, European or international influences, are particularly distinguished by: an unbreakable link to the land, a strong relationship with the sacred, great conviviality, warm hospitality and a great sense of community...

Of course, whether you are in a big city or a small village, traditions are lived differently on a daily basis, but they are always followed. Whether for traditional festivals, weddings or births, in the context of daily life, Berber culture is present.

In the south, particularly, it is common to see women still dressed in traditional clothes, or wearing festive makeup with henna or saffron. Henna has a double language, that of seduction and magic through the different rituals. Its practice fascinates, enchants our society since the dawn of time. It is an integral part of traditional life ... The Berbers use, for henna, a base of symbols which each have a meaning such as:

• The circle: symbol of the absolute.
• The rosettes which form triangles whose point at the top symbolizes fire, the point at the bottom evokes water and symbolizes femininity.
• The point: the center, the origin, the focus.

In the same theme as henna we can find Berber tattoos which have existed for several centuries.

Tattoos have several functions: they can be protective and ornamental, but also identity-related or medical.

Berber tattoos

Berber tattoos are made using pigments from plant-based substances such as charcoal. Today, tattoos have become more ornamental than anything else. Unlike our ancestors, for whom tattooing had a social function. In the past, the Imazighen tattooed themselves on several parts of the body. In particular, the forehead, chin, cheeks, back of the hands and temples. They drew patterns and symbols that were specific to them and had a very specific meaning. Tattooing has several functions, it can be protective and ornamental, but also identity or medical. Here are some examples:

• The point symbolizes the hearth.
• The first vertical line symbolizes God and life, as well as the first tool planted in the ground by man.
• The diamond represents the woman associated with the snake they represent the union of opposites.
• The bull represents masculine strength.
• The plus (+ sign) symbolizes the eye of God, the star whose light guides Man in the night.

In recent years, Berber motifs have been very popular among young people. Indeed, young people choose to have Amazigh symbols tattooed on them, no doubt for aesthetic reasons. 

Traditions also continue through traditional songs in the streets of the ksours, carpets which are still made with centuries-old patterns and jewelry which is becoming lighter and adapts to modern life while keeping its decorations.

Berber decor: Berber weavings and pottery

Berber weaving

The work of the Berber weaver in Morocco has been striving since the dawn of time to weave, in a way, all the threads of life... Berber women defend this age-old heritage, this artistic attachment and promote this international reputation of Moroccan Berber carpets. These Berber weavers safeguard the memory, imagination, know-how and multicultural encounter of the Berber tribes of Morocco. They ensure the continuity of this ancestral art that is weaving and promote the components of this unique Moroccan Berber culture which highlights the creativity, imagination and typical and authentic sensitivity of each Moroccan craftsman.

In recent years, Berber motifs have been very popular among young people.

Weaving in Morocco appeared as early as 1500 BC. The transformation of wool passed entirely into the hands of the weavers who used specific tools, which were also and often family objects: combs, cards, distaffs . The latter helped to prepare this wool which would then be woven. The women sat on the ground and began carding to work the weft thread which had to be very strong. They used two wooden boards bristling with nails to work the shorter, curly wool fibres; the longer fibres were combed and intended for the warp. The two combs were used to separate the wool. The women were experienced spinners, and thus shaped the wool as they wished.

Today it is easy to integrate Berber weaving into the decoration of our interior. For example, Berber poufs, cushions and rugs lend themselves perfectly to the game.

Berber pottery

This ancestral art that is pottery in Morocco has been rooted for centuries. It was the Moors more than 1000 years ago who installed the first ovens in Fez, Meknes, Safi and Marrakech . The raw material used for pottery remains clay, which is very abundant in Morocco and which, moreover, offers a fairly exceptional quality of raw material. This clay is first dried in the sun, then it is wetted to be kneaded and worked by hand. It then rests for several days before being handled for a long time to then let the art take shape. The potters of the Rif use their hands, they work from a clay coil and not with a potter's wheel. On the contrary, most male potters in the regions and cities of Morocco where pottery is widespread, work on foot wheels.

Pottery has always featured many useful items such as all dishes, tagine dishes, couscous dishes, plates, bowls, cups, salad bowls, pots, jugs, all kinds of containers. It now also makes room for decorative objects. Some potteries feature very particular colors. This is the case of Fez pottery and its wonderful cobalt blue, or this particular green or ochre specific to Tamegroute pottery. Moroccan pottery is sometimes raw, sometimes glazed, enameled, sculpted... It is also sometimes decorated, sometimes not. All these particularities make up the variety of Moroccan pottery.

I discover the Taszuri Créations collection

Taszuri creations, the designer with Berber style: her inspiration? Berber tattoos. Discover her interview here .

Conclusion

Berber culture deserves a lot of interest. Even if mysteries persist, it is a culture that asserts ancestral know-how, and, in Morocco, simplicity, human warmth, conviviality, are all qualities that greatly distinguish this population that you will have great pleasure in meeting… Welcome to Berber land, to the land of free men and women from whom you will learn a lot!