craft + activism = craftivism.

The war rug above is part of a project I’m working on right now. I’ve talked about them before, but what I haven’t mentioned is how reluctant people have been to actually tell me anything about them. How is it we can be at war with a country and not even attempt to better understand the history of these rugs that have popped up in Afghanistan since the Soviet occupation began?

Craft and creativity have been ways to preserve culture for centuries. Given the 28.1% (male: 43.1%, female: 12%) literacy rate in Afghanistan, crafts are how they keep track of their culture. These rugs show how Afghans have perceived war for decades.

The information I’ve read online gets ridiculously contradictory: Some sites say the weavers are men, some women, there are arguments as to whether or not they’re propaganda, in Arabic or Dari or Pashto, and many fully admit that they have no idea when or where the rugs began. When we’re given a lens through which to better understand a culture that we’re trying to help rebuild, why have we been ignoring something so important?

I’ve also heard anecdotes about how the rugs made in the villages differ from the rugs sold to soldiers at bases. Different symbols, different pigments. How messed up is it that Afghan weavers have been making money weaving rugs based on their perception of what they think American soldiers will buy? In all wars locals have made money off soldiers, but the idea that they’re adapting their cultural history based on American tastes is incredible.

So I’ve been looking for resources (soldiers who have been in Afghan villages, books, articles, photos) for awhile now mainly in vain. As I buckle down on actually writing the article this week, it frustrates me more and more as to what is being ignored. Crafts help connect, teach and understand. Aren’t these all things we’re trying to do with Afghanistan right now, “hearts and minds” and all?

These creations are more than just things with which to line your hallway or wipe your feet, they’re a direct window into a culture so far removed from ours that we can’t even fathom anyone storytelling on rugs in the age of computers and technology. But not everyone has access to these things, sometimes all you have is some wool to share your story, to get your voice heard. We just need to remember that if we’re going to make a difference. We need to remember that sometimes the loudest voices aren’t actual voices at all.

Posted in crafters + makers., feminism + human rights., why handmade.