Articles by Elmira Gyul

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Archive of articles by Elmira Gyul published in Jozan Magazine.

Gajari flatwoven carpets and textiles

Tent band, Afghanistan, late 19th Century, with different protective signs. Photo courtesy Ali Istalifi

Among the variety of Central Asian carpets the manufacture of the flatwoven Gajari (Ghajaree, Ghudjeri, Ghujeri) are characteristic for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.

The napramach – an ancient suitcase and chest

A complete Napramach from the Collection of Reinhard Blanck and Stefan Dobadka . The front and the two sides are knotted, the back and the bottom are made of simple but strong woven cloth.

In everyday life we often use objects, without reflecting about their history and occurrence in our environment. Such objects could be a suitcase or a chest; their distant ancestor is a capacious carpet bag for household utensils – the napramach.

The prayer rug – a unity of symbol and ritual

Kum Kapi silk metal thread prayer rug. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

One example of the ritual aspect of worship in art is provided by the making of special carpets or embroidered coverlets for the namaz – the praise to Allah five times per day.