When a Moroccan Berber woman from the Middle Atlas Mountains gets married, female family members from her tribe make a wedding blanket known as a Handira for her. She wears the Handira during the wedding ceremony and wraps this around her shoulders. It takes many weeks to produce the wedding blanket. The sheep must first be shaved. The wool is then washed and spun to yarn before they can start weaving. During the making process, rituals are performed for a blessed and happy marriage and the future bride is provided with marital advice. The sequins are carefully sewn on for decoration and to ward off evil spirits. The beautiful Handira is steeped in feminine blessings and fertility. Today wedding blanket works as a plaid over a bed or couch in a modern home.