Ghurian Rugs

Ghurian (Ghorian, Ghoryan) is an administrative district in far western Afghanistan in western Herat Province. The district is bordered by Iran to the west and northwest. The Hari River flows through the northeastern end of the Ghurian district. The border with Iran is marshy. The administrative center of Ghurian District is the town of Ghurian. It is 790 m high with a population of more than 54,000 people. It is situated south of the Hari River along the Mashhad-Herat highway.
The Herat Province is home to various tribes like Baluchs, Pashtuns and Turkmens the weavings of whom gathered ultimately in the Herat’s bazar. Rugs from Ghurian are mostly attributed to the Baluch and Turkmens.
Technical aspects and the structure of Ghurian Rugs
Ghurian rugs, gathered ultimately in Herat or in the Iranian city of Mashhad, are mostly woven by Baluchs, Turkmens and Pashtuns who live semi-nomadically in surrounding villages. Older pieces of such kind may enjoy a type of warp made of sheep wool and goat hair. New pieces may be woven on cotton foundation. Area rugs and prayer
rugs are popular sizes in Ghurian. Ghurian prayer rugs are mostly woven by a tribe called Jehan Begi (Jan Begi). Tribal items like saddle-bags are also found.

Dyeing and painting of Ghurian Rugs
Red and ivory are dominant in Turkmen pieces of Ghurian. Ivory used mainly for outlining the patterns. Brown, camel (or beige) and black are also used. These may be obtained from undyed wool and hair. Dark blue is used in pieces woven by the Baluch.


Designs and patterns of Ghurian Rugs
Patterns are rectilinear (geometric) in Ghurian designs. Tekke gul is used by both Turkmens and Baluchs of the area. Tribal prayer rugs of the area are designed with all-over geometric patterns, some with stepped mihrabs, and others with a tree of life. The latter seem to have a Baluch origin but also used by the other nomads of the area.
Jehan Begi (Jan Begi) is a tribe in Ghurian famous for weaving prayer rugs. Jan Begi prayer rugs are designed with Mina Khani patterns. Mina khani is an overall pattern consisting of two or more flower blossoms connected by a diamond lattice. It seems to be a variant of the Herati pattern.

