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1. Najibullah and Uncle Sam Najibullah and Uncle Sam War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; Afghanistan--Politics and government, 1973-1989 ; Afghanistan--History--Soviet occupation, 1979-1989 ; Najibullah, Mohammad, 1947-1996 This rug is a variation of the Najibullah rugs. Beside the wide-eyed Najibullah, is Uncle Sam’s Hat with an AK-47 protruding from it. It speaks to the foreign occupation and control of Afghanistan. The map of Afghanistan behind the figures is typically green (for an Islamic state?)—here it is white. As in the other rugs of this type, the red area above Afghanistan is figured with Soviet vehicles, while the blue area below is filled with people and animals.

2. Bridge Rug Bridge Rug War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History 21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--social life and customs This colourful rug appears to depict a modern-looking bridge over a busy street lined with traffic. At one end of the street is a mosque and in the sky are helicopters and jets. It is not clear whether the rug is depicting some real or hoped for!

3. Clock Tower I Clock Tower I War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs There are increasing numbers of carpets featuring Afghan cityscapes and heritage sites. This one represents a clock tower, likely in Kabul with a river and rows of vehicles. It is surrounded by a particularly bold, traditional border. From the vantage point of an outsider, it functions like a postcard; evoking memories of visited places and events. It is also possible, however, that it speaks to an emergent Afghan nationalism, celebrating local history.

4. Made in Afghanistan Made in Afghanistan War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History 21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century; Military weapons ; Vehicles, Miliary ; Maps, Afghanistan This carpet was likely woven in a workshop in a refugee camp in Pakistan. Many war rugs from period have become ‘poster-like’ in size, in feel (very dense and hard) and with the use of strong hard-edged graphics on a white ground. This piece depicts a variety of arms and vehicles of Soviet manufacture arranged around and on a green map of Afghanistan. The diagonal band protruding from the top of the map is the ‘Friendship Bridge”, formerly used to transport supplies to Russian soldiers, but here depicting their exodus. The Dari language inscriptions refer to their departure.

5. Eight Tank Rug Eight Tank Rug War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Tanks This rug features vertical rows of Soviet BTR60 Armoured Personnel Carriers with an intricate border. Woven by Baluch weavers, it has much in common with traditional designs. The repetition of motifs on these rugs and their simplification suggests their possible role as aids for the recognition of weapons.

6. Exodus of the Soviet Union I Exodus of the Soviet Union I War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--History--Soviet occupation, 1979-1989 ; Afghanistan--Politics and government--1989-2001 ; Military weapons This rug commemorates the departure of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. On the “Friendship Bridge”, heading north, are three Soviet BTR 60A Armoured Personnel Carriers. On the bloody red map of Afghanistan are what appear to be Soviet Mil Mi-24 Helicopters (aka Hind) with three Mil Mi-28 Helicopters (aka Havoc) in the air above the map. The rug also features AK-47s, several grenades, and two RPG 7V Grenade Launchers. The inscription refers to the departure of the Soviets.

7. Exodus of the Soviet Union II Exodus of the Soviet Union II War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; Constitutions--Afghanistan ; Afghanistan--Politics and government--1989-2001 This rug is very similar to 2009.011.000 suggesting that popular designs are shared among weavers.

8. Four Horsemen with Rifles Four Horsemen with Rifles War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs This carpet’s design is based on ‘hunting’ carpets woven from the time of the Safavid rulers of Iran as well as during the reign of the Mughals in India. Typically they depict scenes of rulers on horseback hunting, surrounded by animals and lush vegetation. The animals frequently include lions mauling other animals. Together with the horses, they suggest power, prowess, and political might.

9. Garden Runner with Weapons Garden Runner with Weapons War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs This was one of the last rugs Rob Fyke added to his collection and in many ways the most enigmatic. In a garden-like setting with trees, flowers, a camel, several recoilless rifles, jets and helicopters it features a number of recognizable buildings. These include what is likely the Eid Gah Masjid in Kabul, the Herat Masjid, as well as the Monument to Afghan soldiers and Victory Arch located in Paghman Gardens. Paghman Gardens were built by Shah Amanullah Khan after his European tour of 1927-28, as a retreat from the heat and congestion of Kabul. Located in the foothills, the area became a Mujahidin stronghold during the war with the Soviets and again during the Civil War. Apart from the heavily damaged Victory Arch, little remains today. The carpet features a variety of inscriptions with references to historic figures including Wazir Akbar Khan a Pashtun hero from the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842).

10. Ground Attack Aircraft Ground Attack Aircraft War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; Airplanes, Military ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs The arrival of the Soviets into Afghanistan in 1979 encouraged widespread displacement and migration. Some estimates suggest 3.2 million Afghans migrated to Pakistan, 2.3 million to Iran and others to India, Turkey, US, Canada, Australia and various European countries. This rug was likely woven by an Afghan Baluch woman, near Mashhad, a city in eastern Iran. The lobed medallions and white-ground are inspired by the local carpet weaving traditions. It features motifs that are traditional and novel, including Soviet aircraft, possibly the SU-15, SU-25 or Mig-21. Without the use of Afghan immigrant weavers, Iran’s participation in the international hand-woven carpet market would be limited.

11. Herat Citadel Herat Citadel War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs This carpet depicts the Qal'ah or Citadel of Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. The Citadel sits on a mound in the northern part of the city and may be the site of a fort built by Alexander the Great in 330BC. Saved from destruction in the 1950’s, it was restored in the 70’s and today, operates as a museum. In front of the Citadel is a street scene dominated by a Frontier truck. The Frontier was used by Aid Agency workers, members of the Taliban, the Mujahidin, and later, US forces.

12. Herat Mosque with Column Herat Mosque with Column War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Mosques ; Herat (Afghanistan) The Great Mosque of Herat (Masjid-i Jami) is a large, congregational mosque in Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. It was built on the site of earlier mosques from about 1200 AD and has been added to and restored frequently since then. Boxy, perhaps Soviet-style vehicles line the road in front of the mosque, while jets fill the skies.

13. Jam Minaret Jam Minaret War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle east--History--20th century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs The twelfth century minaret at Jam in Ghor Province in central Afghanistan is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Built in a steep valley at the junction of two rivers, it likely commemorates a military conquest. It stands sixty five meters high, is made of fired brick and is richly embellished with tiles. At the base of the minaret is a river and two poppy plants. The inscription, in Dari, is translated as ‘glass jam’

14. Map of Afghanistan with Provinces Map of Afghanistan with Provinces War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--20th century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--20th century ; War rugs--Central, Asia--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Maps, Afghanistan This woven map of Afghanistan shows the provincial boundaries. At the top (right hand side) of the rug is a symbol that may represent the Afghan Coat of Arms.

15. Massoud Massoud War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle east--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Massoud, Ahmed Shah, 1953-2001 Ahmad Shah Massoud was a prominent commander of the Mujahidin during the Soviet occupation and an outspoken critic of the Taliban. Two days before 9-11, he was assassinated by suicide bombers posing as reporters. He was nominated for a Nobel peace prize and awarded the title ‘Hero of the Afghan Nation’ by the interim government led by Hamid Kharzai in 2001. Images of Massoud, including rugs, have great currency in Afghanistan. This depiction shows a young, vigorous Massoud surrounded by inscriptions and symbols attesting to his untimely death, his faith, and courage.

16. Made in Afghanistan : rugs and resistance, 1979-2005 Made in Afghanistan : rugs and resistance, 1979-2005 War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century--Exhibitions ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century--Exhibitions Made in Afghanistan: Rugs and Resistance, 1979-2005 was an exhibition of rugs in 2006 at the Nickle Arts Museum, University of Calgary that offered insight into the recent political history of Afghanistan.

17. Panjshir Valley Panjshir Valley War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Panjshir (Afghanistan) This carpet, woven entirely in soumak, suggests a rural idyll. In the foreground is a large, flowering tree surrounded by deer and birds, a mosque and other buildings and a boat. In the sky, however, are ominous reminders of the war. The carpet’s inscriptions suggests it was woven in Badghis province in 1991. It may show the view from a hill named Saricha, site of the future tomb of Ahmad Shah Massoud (see 2009.007.000).

18. Qurban Qurban War rugs--Afghanistan--History--20th century ; War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Military weapons These tiny rugs are often suggested to be “practice” rugs woven by refugee children. This one depicts a Soviet Makarov semi-automatic pistol beside a tank, a helicopter, and what may be a butterfly mine (PFM-1). The inscription “Qurban” refers to sacrifice. Afghan rugs with this mustard yellow colour are also referred to as ‘chobi’ referring to yellow wood. The colour actually comes from isparak, a local plant that produces a yellow dye.

19. Search for bin Laden in Tora Bora Search for bin Laden in Tora Bora War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle east--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs ; Bin Laden, Osama, 1957- ; Tora Bora, Battle of, Afghanistan, 2001 ; Airplanes, Military Tora Bora is a complex of caves located in the White Mountains in eastern Afghanistan. It was here that Osama bin Laden was reportedly in hiding following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Refusing to surrender, the Battle of Tora Bora ensued involving American, British, German and Northern Alliance soldiers. The carpet depicts American F-16 jet fighter aircraft. It is believed Bin Laden escaped over the border into Pakistan.

20. Snowy Landscape Snowy Landscape War rugs--Afghanistan--History--21st century ; War rugs--Middle East--History--21st century ; War rugs--Asia, Central--History--21st century ; Afghanistan--Social life and customs This recent carpet features an abstract landscape and street scene. Adding to the uncertainty of the piece is the row of helicopters hovering amidst the snow.
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