What is Afghanistan Rug Called?

The term ‘Afghan rug’ refers to handmade rugs that originated in Afghanistan, a country of Central Asia bordered by Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Most Afghan rugs are woven by native Afghans, or by ethnic groups such as Turkmen and Baloch tribes that have migrated to the region since the 1920s.

Some of the most distinctive rugs in Afghanistan are woven by the Shindand (also known as Adraskan) tribe in Herat Province, in western Afghanistan. They use unusually elongated human and animal figures in their designs.

What is Afghanistan rug called?

Another type of Afghan rug is the Baluchi prayer Morrocan Rugs, made by the Baloch people of south-western Afghanistan. They feature geometric patterns in shades of dark red, usually with black or blue motifs and sometimes with touches of ivory.

Lastly, there are a small number of rugs produced by the Ersari tribe near Aq Chah. These rugs are coarser than the Alti Bolagh rugs of Turkmen origin and have a ridged-back construction. The guls in Babseqal carpets have medallions that are not so stylised as those in Turkoman guls, but their colouring stays within the range of colours found in Afganistan.

Generally, the motifs and colors used in these rugs are derived from Persian and Oriental influences, and some of them reflect the unique history of wars that have shaped Afghanistan’s culture. Regardless of the design, these rugs are both beautiful and exceptional pieces of hand-woven art. The resulting weave evokes a sense of pride and cultural heritage.