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Kyrgyz carpets are a traditional art form; talent
is poured into the design and great care is taken to ensure
high quality. The intricate patterns and dazzling colours
make the carpets of this region infamous and sought after.
For the native people of Kyrgyzstan, the carpets have been
adapted to their nomadic way of life. The textiles are transported
with them and utilised for decoration, clothing, household
goods and harnesses. The carpets in Kyrgyzstan look very similar
to those produced in other parts of Central Asia, especially
the Xzin-Xzan province of China and Andijan
in Uzbekistan.
Types of carpets
The practice of making textiles has been finely tuned over
many centuries and is still passed down through the generations.
There are many different types of carpet but each has its
own use: kilem, the common fleecy carpet, has widespread
use; chabadan or kosh jabyk is a carpet-fronted
sack; tegirich are strips used to cover stairs and
inside yurts
(nomadic tent homes); kurjun are used for saddlebags;
and eger kapchuk are carpets used for saddles. Smaller
carpets used to be more common, but as the trade became more
commercial, larger sizes were introduced.
How the carpets are made
The carpets are woven on a horizontal loom called a dukon.
The carpets themselves are made from sheep's wool, but the
base is made from camel or goat wool. The wool is painted
using plant dyes; common colours include soft reds and indigo
blues.
Felt textiles
Felt is another common material used, heavily decorated,
with three main techniques: Ala kiyiz is made with
a rolling pattern and coloured wool in the background, another
technique consists of coloured felt or textile sewn onto the
felt, and shyrdak uses a patchwork technique. Felt
designs tend to be simpler and larger than other materials.
Patterns and designs
The common design in Kyrgyz carpets is to have a border with
separate patterns in the central design. Designs can be in
diagonal stripes or staggered rows. The pattern itself is
formed with octahedrons, crosses, and rhombus, and often includes
motifs such as sheep horns. |
