flying carpets & magical morocco

color patterns

language

design

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&

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color

the right color choice is a personal matter; we respond to color on different levels- the eye picks up

relationships that the conscious mind might not be aware of

design three of your own color palettes and name them

(name)

(name)

(name)

patterns

the traditional geometric patterns are a mixture of ancient symbols, outside influences, and imagination;

they stem from a system of visual communication often conveying a rich variety of meaning

write down the perceived meanings of these symbols

identify and draw the motifs in the Moroccan rug on the left

draw your own geometric motifs

designmoroccan woven carpets expressed messages about the maker, her identity, her family, religion, customs and beliefs; they were part of an oral tradition passed down from mother to daughter

language

= A

= B

= G

= Gw

= D

= Dh

= E

= F

= K

= Kw

= H = R

= U

= N

= M

= L

= J

= I

= Q

= Kh

= Aa

= h = R

= Gh

= S

= Ss

= Sh

= T

= Tt

= W

= Y

= Z

= Zz

Tifinagh Alphabet

when asked if she could read or write, an Amazigh woman proudly replied, “I may be illiterate, but I make carpets,”--

and thus, the colors, patterns and design intertwine seamlessly,as do words on a page, to create an opus of woven language

the Tifinagh alphabet was created in 2003 to provide a written form of communication for Morocco’s Amazigh population;

previously, these Amazigh languages were only oral

write your name in Tifinagh

design your own Moroccan rug

1 2 3

translate these words from the Tifinagh alphabet

alia kate, founder alia@kantaraproject.org

kantaraproject.org

the kantara project bridges traditional moroccan life with modern day activities for students in the united states

through participation in kantara’s programs that are dedicated to arts and education, these students play an

active role in sustaining a cultural patrimony