PESHAWAR: Afghanistan’s hand-woven rugs are perhaps one of the most significant forms of folk art and a major part of Afghan culture.
Traditionally hand-knotted by women, these beautiful rugs are a source of living for most of the rural population. However, because of the volatile Afghan economy, deteriorating security situation and the machine-made cheap carpets, the production of hand-made carpets is on decline.
“Afghanistan is now captured by the Taliban. Due to the fear every craftsman is trying to leave the country as they see no signs of boosting their businesses,” the Afghan carpet dealer Kher Mohammad told Mashriq tv. The dealer said that the prevailing situation have negative impacts on every aspect of life including the carpet industry.
The Afghan Taliban swept through the country, taking control of the country in short span of time on 15 August. But they have not yet been able for form a consensus government and end the prevailing uncertainty and atmosphere of fear.
The carpet dealer said that according to an estimate around 1.9 million people – most in the northern part of the country – are associated with the carpet weaving in Afghanistan. After 1979, they transferred their complete industry to Peshawar, but now Lahore has replaced the city as major center of the carpet industry.
Mohammad has been staying in Peshawar after USSR [Union of Soviet Socialist Republics] attacked Afghanistan. He said that after the USSR attack, 90% of carpet business was also shifted to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Afghan refugees. But now, Mohammad informed, Lahore is the main market of Afghan carpets. He said that from 2010 to 2016, their business was booming because rugs were purchased by American and European visitors.
He said that the industry in connected with the tourism industry. However, he said is not much happy with the prevailing situation and lamented that he cannot see any improvement in the business because of the prevailing situation.
Mohammad Haroon, another carpet dealer said that besides Turkman, Uzbek and Hazara are associated with carpet weaving. He said that a network of weavers may often work together on single carpets, which can more than nine months to complete. “In northern Afghanistan, almost every member of family is associated with carpet weaving.” Haroon said that the Afghan women weave carpets in their homes and sold it in the markets throughout the country from where these beautiful rugs are exported throughout the world.
