The Peaceful Tradition of Kurdish Weaving

Kurdistan: Woven by Tradition

The Kurdish Mainlands have been the home of many merchants and weavers, who have passed down their skills for countless generations. Over time, as with many areas with numerous people sharing the same art, the Kurdish-produced rugs attained their own style, slightly differentiating them from those produced elsewhere. This ran a perfect parallel to the Kurdish population, which developed a strong cultural divide from the areas around it, due to the influence of the silk road, as well as the geographical features surrounding the area. The status of Kurdistan as an autonomous entity, however, has been an increasingly difficult arrangement. Pressure from Iran, Iraq and Turkey, whose borders run through the geoculturally defined area, have caused a significant amount of conflict around Kurdistan, and have resulted in the discrimination of those of Kurdish descent. Despite these troubles, Kurdistan has somehow managed to stay in one piece thanks to their unique language and culture. 

While the Kurdish people were once very prosperous, trading along the Silk road, with trade established both east and west, they have come upon hard times. Now being mostly absorbed by Turkey, Iran and Iraq, much of their potential market has been changed to the industrial centers located far away from the Kurdish mainlands. This position is not ideal, as it is very hard to partake in the economy when cut off from it to such an extent. Many Kurds have been forced away from the artistic weaving traditions that have existed in their families for generations, pushed into agriculture in order to stay afloat. One may wonder what steps countries like Turkey, Iran and Iraq have taken to help Kurdistan maintain relevance in an increasingly harsh economic climate, and the answer is, surprisingly, not much. While Kurdistan is technically an autonomous state, its lands are officially recognized as parts of other, larger countries, so why hasn't anything been done to help out the Kurdish people, especially when "the integration of [Kurdistan] into the economy can [...] bring about a renaissance for the entire community" -Todd Lane ? The truth is, Kurdistan's wealth of artistic skill and economic value has been ignorantly cast aside throughout history. Discrimination of the Kurds dates back to the 1930's Ottoman Empire, when the Kurdish were systematically forced out of their homelands, with an estimated 700,000 displaced. Of those 700,000, roughly half eventually died, due to the difficulties of being thrown from their traditional homes. All is not lost, however, as the Kurdish plight is becoming a much more well known issue, and actions taken to discriminate against them have been met with harsh criticism by people all over the world. In addition to greater awareness for their cause, the Kurdish People have the support of new programs set up by the Kurdish Textile Museum to provide employment opportunities for women in poor economic situations.

As a global community, we should reflect on what the Kurdish people have been through, and what keeps them together. The borders established by Kurdistan's culture are stronger than any army, because they are made of something more than what you can see. Kurdistan's bonds are the peaceful, communal traditions that refuse to die, and continue to drive their people to peacefully coexist in the face of discrimination.

Sources
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"Your Persian Rug" by Farrokh A. Ashtiani

Walk on me
..............Walk on me
............................Walk on me

Touch me
..............Touch me
............................Touch me

Open up the windows, let the warm golden dusts of the sun flow in and invigorate faces and bodies, yours and mine. Let the rays of the sun enhance our colors and revive our happiness. Come besides me to rejoice the melting pendulum of time, to recite our poetry and share our memories.

Descend to earth, come capriciously, pour a cup of tea and level with me. Tune the tar, play a song and fine-tune our continuous ecstasy and harmonious rhapsody. Glance at the bouquet of wildflowers that I have scattered at your feet, the ones that you often overlook when you pass by me.

These wildflowers were brought from the grasslands at the foot of mount Sahand, where once the Garden of Eden stood 7,000 years or so ago. There, butterflies rule the land, bees follow the butterflies and big bears feast on honey and gorge on blackberries while reclining on the grass watching the bees and the butterflies drawing their canvases and performing their dances.

Take a look at your faithful Persian rug.

My soul was created and my wefts were woven on those after-the-fog dawns when the ruby-colored berries sip water from morning dews. And cast their own beauties inside the droplets hanging on the edge of their leaves before that fist ray of the sun rises from the East.

If you ever visit my birthplace, then pause and take a deep breath. Inhale the fresh air and feel the scent of lupines, soothing aroma of heracleum leaves, and then listen to the euphonious melody of waterfalls echoing among the rocks in the valley. Hear the bells of the goats grazing far away on top of the hills. And watch the swallows fly by you so swiftly like the days of one's life or the farewell of the late day sun through the yellow autumn leaves.

These flowers are gifts from the lands far away where nature's passion recycles beauty and gives birth to irises, tulips and hyacinths. Tiny hands of little girls who joyfully filled their baskets with flowers picked these colorful selections for you and with their pastel dresses they matched the beauties of the flowers scattered in those fields. And in the midst of those flowerbeds among butterflies and the bees you could hear them cheer each time they found a ladybug chasing the ants on the surface of the leaves.

Like the honeybees that no man can predict the next motion of their dances and what path they may take in their romances, those little girls freely went from one flower patch to another in search of the most attractive blooms. In their excursion they kept brushing their colorful skirts against flowers and caressing the new blooms. And in their innocence they cross-pollinated flowers just like butterflies do and the bees. The following spring they will bloom into many new colors and create a new spectrum for you to see.

Hence I am holding at your feet the best of the wilderness, dandelions and clovers, gentians and daffodils.

These wild cyclamens were picked and gathered by a young bride wearing a lime colored dress, henna on her nails, a garnet necklace and shyness in her eyes and her rose-tinted face. Those majestic fields at the foot of Mount Sahand are the looms for the nature on which all these wild flowers are the wraps and wefts and the place where most elegant tapestries of nature are created.

Today is another joyous day so cast a glance at me.

Walk on me

...........Walk on me

.........................Walk on me

.......................................Touch me

.....................................................Touch me

...................................................................Touch me

I am your Persian rug, descend on me.

Look at these wild violets, poppies and forget-me-nots that were gathered for you. I am that forever-faithful rug, the memory of your parents, and I carry many stories in my heart and now at your feet.

Don't doubt me. Come sit by me to share our stories and tales of the past and savor this day or two that our beauties may last. Discover and relish the birthplace of these wildflowers that I have at your feet:

Pinch the thyme,

touch the chamomile,

and smell the rosemary.

I am your Persian rug, touch me and touch me, cast a beautiful glance on me and then walk on me.

Please, walk on me.

Cheer on the Ride for Kids Riders!

On September 22nd, the Ride For Kids riders will be making their way through Ellicott City. If you aren't familiar with it, Ride for Kids is a fundraising program for brain cancer treatment in children. Come by to cheer them on!
More information here.