The Boucherouite Rug receives its name from the Arabic ‘bu sherwit’, meaning “a scrap of used clothing”. In essence, the Boucherouite is a simple 'rag rug’. Strips or unraveled fibers of older textiles, such as clothing or worn out rugs, are recycled and woven together to create something new. And yet, the humble origins of these rugs serve only to accentuate the remarkable nature of the finished products which take full advantage, not only of the weaving skills of their makers, but of the benefits of their patchwork components.
One of the most striking features of the Boucherouite rugs is their amazing variety of color. Compared to more traditional Berber weaves, the Boucherouite’s sudden explosion of color is largely related to its repurposing of cotton or recycled clothing, which hold brighter, more vibrant colors made from natural dyeing techniques.
Even more dazzling is the free form nature of the patterns that grace each rug. Shapes appear, fade, and reappear as motifs and color palettes evolve all in the space of a single rug!
