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Abdollahi H, Qasemi S, Rahmani A. (2025). Examining the Structural Patterns and Motifs in the Carpets of Southwestern Afghanistan. JIC. 9(2), 191-216. doi:10.61882/jic.9.2.409
URL: http://jih-tabriziau.ir/article-1-409-en.html

The carpets of western and southwestern Afghanistan—particularly those produced in Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Badghis, Ghor, and Helmand—represent some of the most distinguished expressions of Afghan folk art. These regions, situated along the border with Iran and within the broader cultural sphere of historic Khorasan, have long been inhabited by diverse ethnic and tribal groups such as the Baluch, Taimuri, Abdali, and Safi, each maintaining distinctive weaving traditions. This study examines the artistic, aesthetic, and symbolic dimensions of carpets from these provinces, seeking to uncover the visual and cultural layers embedded in their designs. Using a descriptive–analytical approach based on field observation and archival study, seventeen authentic carpets produced over the past seventy years were analyzed. The findings show that these carpets can be categorized into three main types: Baluchi carpets, characterized by dense geometric patterns and dark palettes; War carpets, integrating military motifs such as tanks, guns, and helicopters into traditional compositions; and Pictorial carpets, which depict human figures and devotional imagery. These categories reveal the coexistence of tradition and innovation within the weaving culture of the region, reflecting both the endurance of nomadic symbolism and the impact of contemporary socio-political realities.