The carpets of western and southwestern Afghanistan—particularly those woven in the provinces of Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Badghis, Ghor, and Helmand—represent some of the most distinguished expressions of folk art in this region. Situated along the border with Iran and within the broader cultural sphere of historic Khorasan, these areas have long been home to diverse tribal groups such as the Baluch, Taimuri, Abdali, and Safi, each preserving distinct traditions in carpet design and weaving. The distinctive feature of the carpets from these regions lies in their combination of geometric patterns and abstract structures, directly inspired by the area’s ethnic diversity, tribal identity, and the lived experiences of war, migration, and traditional livelihoods. The purpose of this study is to examine the artistic and aesthetic dimensions of the carpets of western and southwestern Afghanistan, analyzing their designs and motifs to uncover the symbolic and cultural layers embedded in these textiles. Specifically, the research seeks to answer how these carpets, through the use of geometric, vegetal, animal, and human motifs, have managed to maintain traditional authenticity while simultaneously reflecting social changes and historical realities of contemporary Afghanistan. The necessity of this research arises from the fact that previous studies have mostly focused on the technical and economic aspects of Afghan carpets, with little attention given to their artistic, symbolic, and ethnographic dimensions. This study adopts a descriptive–analytical method, combining library research, fieldwork, and direct observation of carpet samples produced over the past 70 years. The research population includes authentic carpets from the targeted regions, with a sample size of 17 selected pieces. Through qualitative and formal-cultural analysis, the study seeks to reveal the relationship between local traditions and the structural patterns found in contemporary examples. Based on the analysis, the motifs and designs of the carpets from western and southwestern Afghanistan can be categorized into three main groups: First one, Baluchi carpets, characterized by dense geometric motifs and dark color palettes, reflecting the enduring traditions of nomadic culture; The seconds, War carpets, which combine military motifs (tanks, guns, helicopters) with traditional floral and animal elements, representing the lived experiences of war and displacement; And the last one is Pictorial carpets, including Adreskand, Devotional, and War Pictorial types, which feature human portraits and figures, giving the textiles a personal, ritualistic, and identity-based dimension.
 

Keywords: Western and Southwestern Afghanistan, Adreskand Carpet, Afghan War Carpet, Baluchi Carpet, Iradat Carpet.

     

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