Carpet weaving exists in many regions of Tajikistan and beyond its range, where lives tajik population so far. More progressed in this sphere are East and West part of Badahshan and adjacent regions (as Rushan, Shughnan, Ishkashim, Vanj) as well as in the North part of republic: Penjikent, Asht, Ganjin region and in other small villages of Hissar valley. Carpet weaving was developed many centuries ago in Tajikistan. Even now, there is a wide range of hand-made products of the highest quality. The fabrics used are silk, cotton, wool and flax.
The principal of carpet weaving technology is to use hand weaver’s loom, where artisans weaves a long band that is sewed together in length after all.
The patterns are divided in to two group of kinds: by geometric structure and by comparison with nature or with the name of created person.
Variety of tajik carpets is very diverse. There are carpets with a pile, well known carpets (woolen) that have high pile (julbarak or julhirs) and without pile (gilem). This carpets in different regions have their own names and techniques..
For example, the Yak House members are working mainly on different weaving techniques:
Terme: most common nowadays, used for weaving large bands (maximum 50cm).
Most of the patterns are fixed in the tradition because of the complexity of the technique; however the talent of the weaver is expressed through their combination. Only exceptionally talented and skilled weavers are able to create new patterns.
Eky uzdu: quite common, similar to the terme technique, but the design appears on both sides of the woven band and is traditionally more applied on narrow bands for binding the roof structure of the yurt. This technique is usually recognisable by the dots underlining the pattern.
Gajary: in this type of technique Eastern Pamir area is using thinner yarns that require more time and attention as well. It is mainly used for saddle bags, horse covers and carpets. The knowledge of this technique had almost disappeared when the Yak House stated its work. Now, it has been revived through the interest of foreign visitors and young weavers are learning it again.
