Afghan War Rug
Afghan War Rug
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This War Rug acts as a powerful document of the recent history of Afghanistan. The weaver tells the story of the Soviet Invasion of 1979, with depictions of helicopters, tanks, hand bombs, rocket launchers and even a large Kalashnikov. Although these act as a pertinent reminder of the reality of conflict, the inscription of at the top gives some sense of hope. It reads 'The forces of USSR [are] coming out from Afghanistan,' with the year of 1989 clearly visible underneath. This is when Soviet troops had completely withdrawn of the country, a significant time that would have been in recent memory for the rug's maker. Alongside it lies a hand-drawn map of his country, a symbol of pride and identity in his homeland.
With our hindsight, we know that the Afghan people have had much to endure since then, with civil war, the rise of the Taliban and the US-led intervention between 2001 and 2021. Perhaps this knowledge adds further significance to work like this, that show how war and art, violence and creativity can somehow come together to create a stirring rug.
This is not a glorification of war: rather, it is a remembrance of it. A pledge that we will never forget the lives that were lost. It shows that above all, art is a raw expression of truth and pain. Perhaps it is this honesty that makes War Rugs like this so special.
History
History
Afghanistan has experienced a long and complex modern history, marked by both progress and conflict. In the early 20th century, the nation gained independence from British India in 1919, and embarked on a path towards modernisation through a series of western-style reforms. However, decades of internal tension eventually culminated in a military coup in 1973 and a subsequent communist revolution. These events led to the Soviet-Afghan War of 1979-1989, where at least 600,000 civilians were killed. It was during this period when the first War Rugs emerged, as Afghan refugees used their traditional weaving skills to earn a living and to document the world around them.
The 1990s in Afghanistan were defined by continued instability. Rival factions struggled for control, and the ensuing unrest paved the way for the rise of the Taliban - a movement of religious students who sought to enforce strict interpretations of Islamic law. In 2001, the US and its allies launched a military intervention after the Taliban refused to hand over members of al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The conflict continued for two decades, before formally ending in 2021 with the withdrawal of international forces. Many of the War Rugs produced during this time reflect these more recent events, serving as poignant records of resilience and the profound impact of war.
Details
Details
Size: 70cm x 59cm
Age: The beautiful blue Abrash on the map is a rare feature, and indicates that this is quite old for a an Afghan War Rug. It was most likely made in the late 1980s.
Condition: Good
Stock No: SG-AFWR24
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