Category — Tribal Weaving

Weaving Kilim rugs is believed to have started thousands of years ago because of their existence in ancient Egyptian tombs. They are originally made by different tribes that practices weaving for their survival on places with cold weather. Kilim rugs are flat-weave rugs that are known to be the ancient relatives of carpets, which are commonly used in homes today.

Kilims show the creativity of our ancestors through the designs and patterns woven. The designs and patterns on those rugs symbolize different things that are present in their environment. The colors, patterns and designs of modern Kilims are still based on the antique Kilim rugs. Those symbols are believed to be used by our ancestors in Atlas Mountains, the Navajo Indians, Indians of the Andes, and Afghan nomads.

The colors of kilim rugs have different meanings. Yellow stands for pomegranate peel, vine leaves, and weld while brown represents walnut shells and bark of oak tree. Green color is a combination of indigo and weld while black is for walnuts Larkspur. Henna is for flowers and leaves and Purple represents hollyhocks.

The designs of Kilims, on the other hand, usually have hidden meanings rooted on the mythology, beliefs and legends during ancient times. Variations on the symbols used in weaving the Kilim rugs are based on the region where the kilims are woven. Most common motifs of kilims are eye, ram’s horn, wheatear, pomegranate, bird, tree of life, spider, snake and diamond-shaped motifs. The eye motif symbolizes charm and is used to prevent misfortune due to the envious and malicious eyes of the people who gaze with evil purpose. These types of kilim rugs are found in African and Asian countries. These rugs are believed to protect the people living in the house where these rugs are used.

The rams’ horn motifs are used as design in Kilim rugs to symbolize power because in ancient Anatolian civilizations, the horns of rams are believed to be the source of power of gods. The wheatear motif and the pomegranate motif, on the other hand, are used to attract or add prosperity in a home. The wheatear symbolizes fertility of earth while the pomegranate is the fruit, which has plenty of seeds representing wealth. The bird motif are believed to attract good news from far away and is typically used by people who have relatives or loved ones who are far from them.

The tree of life motif used in Kilim rugs designs represents the relationship between the spiritual world and the mortal life while the spider motif represents the magnificent ability of Arachne as a weaver. The spider motif however is related to the tree of life motif because the snake is believed to be the protector of the tree of life. It symbolizes life energy and rebirth. Lastly, the diamond-shaped motif that is very important to women during the ancient times symbolizes maternity. Women weaving this type of kilim rugs are wishing to bear a child soon.

With those magnificent symbols and patterns and the symbols or meanings associated with them, Kilim rugs are becoming popular as home décor bringing protection, prosperity and luck to the members living in the home.

During the ancient times, tribal weaving were already been practiced. Different tribes weave rugs to protect themselves from elements. These heavy cloths were developed into rugs that provided protection from the weather, wild animals and other harmful elements.

Geometric patterns are common in tribal weaving. The patterns, bright colors, and number of knots per unit area could produce beautiful rugs. These early community showed remarkable ability and creativity in dyeing, designing, and producing remarkable woven materials.

Tribal weaving became the source of the spreading wall hangings, carpets, rugs and other woven decorations that could be found in every house today. Furnishings out of woven materials are popular these days because they add a touch of ethnicity in every residence. The designs of the tribal weavings often give comfort and casual appeal to a residence making it popular as home décor.

One of the most prevalent styles is the rugs and carpet industry of Moroccan. Moroccan rugs and other tribal weavings are made by the Berbers. They are North African tribe who are living in Morocco. The plain geometric outline or designs of Moroccan rugs made by the Berbers had been used to give an elegant look for furnishings in many houses. The designs of Moroccan rugs are quite alike to those tribal weavings made by the Native Americans.

Another type of tribal weaving in Morocco is the kilims. The kilims are flat-weave rugs. They are light weight and created with red, blue, yellow, green, white and mauve motifs. Kilims confirm the ingenuity of our ancestors through the patterns and designs of those tribal weaving. The designs and patterns on those weavings stand for the different entities that are present in their surroundings. Those symbols are believed to be used by our ancestors in Atlas Mountains, the Navajo Indians, Indians of the Andes, and Afghan nomads.

Another popular tribal weaving is the Persian Tribal rug. The types of Persian Tribal Rugs are: Baluch Rugs, Shiraz Rugs, and Wiss Rugs. They are hand-woven by the tribes of Baluch, Shiraz, and Wiss tribes respectively. Baluch rugs are woven by the tribe dwelling in southern Iran. They customarily highlight the Persian tradition 2500 years ago to the styles and patterns that they use in making tribal weavings. The main colors that the Baluch tribes use are the ivory and navy.

The Shiraz rugs, on the other hand are usually woven long and plain-colored. Red is the color that is often used in weaving those kinds of Persian rugs. They have geometric patterns of plants and animals images. Lastly, the Wiss tribal weaving which are made by the tribe in the Village of Wiss in Iran, usually have garden elements designs and flower-like patterns. Dark red and burgundy colors are the common colors used by the Wiss tribes in weaving their rugs.

The prices of the tribal weavings depend on the colors used, quality and the complexity of designs. Wide range of sizes and designs of tribal weaving can be found on the internet. You just have to pick the best type of weaving that suits your taste.