Algeria

In Algeria, in the Kabylie region of Tizi Ouzou, the weaving of Berber carpets is an ancestral tradition that goes back several millennia. These handmade carpets are much more than simple decorative objects: they carry deep symbols, stories and legends that tell the identity of each family and region. Each motif, each color, has a particular meaning that may represent natural elements such as water, earth or mountains, but also spiritual and mystical aspects. An interesting anecdote about Kabyle weaving is that of the “wedding tapestry”. Traditionally, young Kabyle girls wove a carpet before their wedding. This carpet was a symbol of their ability to maintain and pass on family traditions. It was also a gift to the groom's family, and served as a token of the bride-to-be's love and commitment. The designs chosen for the carpet could also reflect the girl's dreams and hopes for her future. Beyond its practical and aesthetic role, the Kabyle carpet is therefore a true testimony to the personal and collective history of those who weave it, a living artifact of Kabyle customs and beliefs.