Berber Shawls (Handira)

The Arabic word handira refers to a hand-loomed woollen and cotton blanket or shawl, sometimes with woven or braided cords that tie the garment around the wearer's shoulders. In the absence of cords, they are usually tied by the use of fibulae (tribal brooches).

The vintage handira in our collection are traditional pieces that include distinct high-quality weavings from the Beni Ouarain tribe of the Middle Atlas Mountains and also tightly-woven woollen shawls from the High Atlas Mountain tribes. See individual handira for further information.