LES TAPIS DE KAIROUAN

The reputation of Tunisian weavings dates back to the^5thcentury B.C., when poets already celebrated "the embroidered carpets and cushions of Carthage". In the early centuries of Islam, part of the tribute was paid in carpets by the Aghlabite Emirate of Kairouan to the Caliph of Baghdad. Kairouan is a symbol of craft tradition, still today. Four categories fall under the name "Kairouan carpet": alloucha, zarbia, mergoum and silk carpet. The alloucha carpet uses the natural colors of sheep wool (white, gray-beige, white and black). Each step of the manufacturing process is done by hand. While keeping the same geometrical style, the arrival of the zarbia, a modern high wool carpet rich in fine colors where browns and reds dominate, has brought a new wave. This interest in new products has prompted the diversification of the repertoire of models by new creations inspired by the Tunisian heritage. The mergoum in woven wool uses a Berber geometric design with a multitude of colors and a plain background. The Kairouanese carpet, which originally did not exceed 40,000 stitches per square meter (20 × 20) has moved to intermediate textures. We reach up to 490 000 points per square meter (70 × 70) to achieve the harir or silk carpet. The National Handicrafts Office, in order to encourage production, has set up a quality legislation. Each carpet is checked by specialists and is awarded an official label that provides information on the quality.