Summary

An exhibition by Saraswati of nomadic Afghan textiles from 1850 - 1950.

Full Description

“Yurt Art” brings you a piece of a picture of traditional nomadic life in Afghanistan. This way of life is gradually disappearing due to rapid social and economic change.

Each year the nomads would move from the lowlands, where their flocks of sheep and goats graze in the warm winter pastures. Their journey, using horse, camel, and donkey would take to the high green fields of the Hindu Kush for the duration of the summer. Their annual migrations have also seen them cross frontlines and minefields.

Traditionally, nomads live in portable felt-covered tents called yurts, and in this exhibition you will see a range of ornamental and functional furnishings that supports the nomads migratory lifestyle. The family herd of sheep, goats, and camels provide the wool that is then hand woven, felted and embroidered by women into textiles that you can see examples of here. The dyes used are natural, the deep red, for example, coming from the powdered root of the madder plant which is common in Southern Afghanistan.

These textiles are highly decorative and the designs are passed on from mother to daughter often reflecting a particular tribe. The craft of hand weaving is highly esteemed, and is part of the everyday life of the nomadic women. The dowry of a nomad girl included woven textiles, and she would often be valued for her remarkable and beautiful textiles.

The nomads animals are their greatest asset. The animal trappings are also decorative, which displays their importance to the nomadic lifestyle, the more elaborate being used in wedding processions. Knotting and braiding is used as well as hand weaving. These items also form part of the decoration inside the yurt, often being hung over the tent door.

Saraswati is located next to the GRV, at 35 Guthrie Street, where you can view and purchase more Afghan crafts. We work on behalf of Afghan Schools, a charity dedicated to building school, hostels, community centres and bridges in Afghanistan. To find out more information, please visit www.afghanschools.org

Saraswati is open Tuesday-Sunday, from 12.30pm-6.30pm.

Saraswati would like to thank Flying Carpets, Dunbar/Kingussie for the loan of these pieces from their incredible collection.

Exhibition Flyer