The Story of Bafabdagi
In this video, we explore the rich cultural heritage of rug weaving among nomadic communities in Afghanistan. Woven entirely by hand, these rugs are not sold but traded for essential goods. Their intricate patterns – passed down through generations of women – are thousands of years old, preserving ancestral knowledge and storytelling. These rugs serve both practical and symbolic purposes, used to insulate tents, decorate living spaces, and support daily life. This tradition also carries the scars of history, with motifs of violence and devastation introduced during the Soviet war.
This exhibit looks at the story of the craft that is made up of time, matter and motivation. It particularly revisits the relationship between the tools, the material and motivations, the land, and the hand that makes the craft. The aim is to preserve the local practice embedded in landscape and leverage it for sustainable economic development of craft communities.