Kermanshah Carpets

Kermanshah Carpets

Kermanshah Carpets

30

For many villagers and nomads of Kermanshah, who are still much attached to their historic and cultural roots, making carpets, Kilims, and Jajims are very essential. Carpets of Kermanshah are typically thick village carpets, and have long threads. The Kurd people of Kermanshah have nomadic origins, therefore, they have always been in need of very useful hand woven products. 18th century carpets with motifs of gardens or foliage are known as “Kurdi”, and when many eastern carpets were introduced in the middle of 19th century, the Kurdi carpets were recognized more significantly. Most famous carpets of Kermanshah are woven in the city of Sanghar. It is usually woven of the wool produced in Kermanshah. Due to its high elasticity and natural curl, Kermanshah wool is the best material to weave Persian carpets. In addition to various carpets that are locally called “Lakish”, “Mianghali”, and “Sarandaz”, the weavers of Sanghar, make small carpets in various patterns.

In terms of color and durability, these carpets are very unique. Some of the patterns used are “Bazoobandi”,”Mahiti”, “Towgh” and “Toranj” (meaning medallion). Like many other handicrafts, it is mostly young girl and women of Kermanshah who make the carpets. They make the patterns both from their own minds and imagination, and based on a specific design. In Kermanshah, the word “Gol (flower)” refers to the motif. For example, “Do Gol Akbar Abad” means the motif of Akbar Abad, and “Do Gol Toranj” means the motif of medallion.

Some natural resources of pigments are:  a special kind of thorn called “Varagh” that produces brown pigments, Zardi flower (yellow), vine leaf, straw, walnut skin, skin of pomegranates and madder from Yazd. According to the history and based on artifacts it seems that the weavers acted on their instinct when making the designs. They sometimes got inspired by their surroundings and created patterns that was simply connected to their way of thinking, traditions and inheritance. Names such as “Pankehee (fan), Telefoni (phone), Som e Gavi (cow foot), Keshti Do Gol (motif of ship), Haft Tiri (gun) refer to very beautiful and impressive carpets. This approach can also be seen toward the stories when historic tales and local legends have been depicted.


Add new comment