The crafting of mohair rugs: A unique Malagasy tradition to preserve
Mohair rugs, made entirely by hand using 100% mohair wool, are a quintessential Malagasy product. Despite their exceptional quality, they have not achieved the recognition they deserve. Why is that, and what can be done to change it?
The Malagasy rug: A tradition worth preserving
The exact origins of the mohair rug remain unknown, but one thing is certain: these rugs are made exclusively in Madagascar. Their crafting is a skill passed down from mothers to daughters in the small commune of Ampanihy, located in the far south of the island. The trade experienced a golden age in the 1950s and 1960s, thanks to the company "La Maison Mohair." The reasons behind the market’s decline in the 1970s and 1980s are unclear, but today, the Malagasy mohair rug is closely associated with one name: Éric Mallet.
A Frenchman from Versailles, Éric Mallet first encountered these rugs during a childhood visit to Madagascar. In 1993, after arriving in Sainte-Marie, he embarked on a nearly 2,000-kilometer journey through difficult terrain to reach Ampanihy. Despite the harsh droughts and economic challenges of southern Madagascar, Mallet decided to dedicate himself to reviving the mohair rug industry.
He reawakened the weaving skills of local women, training them and founding the company Le Tapis Malgache. For over 15 years, he has worked to preserve this unique tradition, provide employment opportunities for young women in the area, and promote the value of Malagasy mohair rugs.
A high-end rug and a work of art
Mohair rugs are a rare, high-end product. Handwoven with silky, durable wool, these rugs represent exceptional craftsmanship. Typically, mohair (the wool of Angora goats) is used for clothing or ski gear, but in Madagascar, it is uniquely woven into rugs.
Producing 1 square meter of mohair rug takes an entire month, involving approximately 70,000 hand-tied knots. The resulting quality is impeccable, with a 13 mm pile height offering unparalleled softness and comfort. Years of research and development have gone into achieving the highest quality of yarn and colors.
The yarn is uniquely calibrated to enable the intricate knotting process, while the dyes are entirely plant-based, extracted from endemic plants collected in the Malagasy bush.
Although Angora goats were once raised in Madagascar, the practice has nearly disappeared in the region. As a result, Le Tapis Malgache currently imports mohair from South Africa.
Rug sizes range from 0.5 m² (0.5 m x 1 m) to 9 m² (2.5 m x 3.5 m), weighing between 1.7 kg and 31.5 kg. The designs reflect the culture of southern Madagascar, particularly the Antandroy and Mahafaly ethnic groups. However, custom designs can also be created, making each rug a unique "bushland work of art." These rugs were even showcased at the Is’Art Galerie in 2015.
The future of Malagasy mohair rugs
Le Tapis Malgache is dedicated to promoting mohair rugs in the high-end home and decor market. Although the business was severely impacted by Madagascar’s political and economic crisis in 2009, it has survived and continues to provide stable, long-term employment for the people of Ampanihy.
The Malagasy government recognizes the importance of this activity, awarding Éric Mallet the National Order of Honor in July 2006. However, much work remains to be done.
Weaving training programs are provided to local women, and an association founded by Mallet—nicknamed "Tapis" locally—has established a jewelry-making and lapidary workshop to further improve the local economy.
Mohair rugs are more than a product; they are a testament to Madagascar’s rich cultural heritage and artisanal expertise. Their continued production is a vital link between tradition, art, and sustainable development.