The heavily embroidered kilims from southern Iraq combine geometric and floral designs with figurative patterns, using deep and highly saturated colours
Teacher Eltifat Khrejan Lafta, 55, in 2014 established a workshop to preserve the traditional art of weaving Iraqi kilims. All photos: Eltifat Khrejan Lafta
Ms Lafta is determined not only to safeguard the traditional art, but to provide a haven for widows, divorcees, and other women in Al Muthana province, about 400km south of Baghdad
Each area in Iraq uses different techniques, designs and motifs
In central and southern Iraq, elaborately embroidered kilims are the main product
The workshop is a refuge where women facing various challenges come together to weave and breathe life back into their existence
The kilims can be purely decorative, or used as floor coverings and even as blankets
The centuries-old weaving traditions are at the heart of Iraq’s cultural heritage
Prices start from 50,000 to 350,000 Iraqi dinar ($32 to $225)
Ms Lafta introduced new approaches, applying the rich tapestry on cloths and bags as well as other decorations
For decades, the kilims were woven by young girls for their marriage beds and sometimes by mothers for their sons
The workshop is a place where women come together to talk and support each other
The designs are abstract adaptations of those found in the local environment such as people, animals, domes and minarets, date palms, flowers and the eight-pointed star or talismanic-shaped jewellery
The heavily embroidered kilims from southern Iraq combine geometric and floral designs with figurative patterns, using deep and highly saturated colours
Teacher Eltifat Khrejan Lafta, 55, in 2014 established a workshop to preserve the traditional art of weaving Iraqi kilims. All photos: Eltifat Khrejan Lafta
Ms Lafta is determined not only to safeguard the traditional art, but to provide a haven for widows, divorcees, and other women in Al Muthana province, about 400km south of Baghdad
Each area in Iraq uses different techniques, designs and motifs
In central and southern Iraq, elaborately embroidered kilims are the main product
The workshop is a refuge where women facing various challenges come together to weave and breathe life back into their existence
The kilims can be purely decorative, or used as floor coverings and even as blankets
The centuries-old weaving traditions are at the heart of Iraq’s cultural heritage
Prices start from 50,000 to 350,000 Iraqi dinar ($32 to $225)
Ms Lafta introduced new approaches, applying the rich tapestry on cloths and bags as well as other decorations
For decades, the kilims were woven by young girls for their marriage beds and sometimes by mothers for their sons
The workshop is a place where women come together to talk and support each other
The designs are abstract adaptations of those found in the local environment such as people, animals, domes and minarets, date palms, flowers and the eight-pointed star or talismanic-shaped jewellery
The heavily embroidered kilims from southern Iraq combine geometric and floral designs with figurative patterns, using deep and highly saturated colours
