Qala-i Zal Rugs
Qala-i-Zal, (namely: “The Zal Fortress”) is a town, situated in the western part of Kunduz Province, northern Afghanistan. It borders Balkh Province to the west and Tajikistan to the north along the Panj, Vakhsh and Amu Darya rivers. To the east it borders Imam Sahib District and to the south Kunduz and Chahar dara districts.
Qala-i-Zal’s population is 60,600 (2006) – 60% Turkmen and 40% Pashtun. Turkmens of the town belong to the Ersari Tribe. The district is almost a desert and only the irrigated land is arable. The agriculture and carpet weaving are the most important sources of income.
Ersaris who weave the bulk production of Qala-i-Zal are one of the major tribes of the Turkmen people of Central Asia and one of the five major tribes of the country of Turkmenistan. They live mainly in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Pakistan.
Technical aspects and the structure of Qala-i Zal Rugs
Ersari rugs of north Afghanistan typically have asymmetric (Persian) knots. These rugs are double-wefted and have offset warps. The wool used is of high quality. The weave, too, considered of best quality. Rug sizes are common. Prayer rugs are popular. Ersari prayer rugs are among the most attractive Turkmen products.
Dyeing and painting of Qala-i Zal Rugs
Ersari designs are painted in shades of red, indigo, and ivory or white. Natural dyes are used in Qala-i Zal including herbal and mineral dyes. Secondary palettes may include dark blue, white, black, dark green, brown and brownish red, olive, beige and ivory. The high quality wool used in the area leads to saturated shades.
Designs and patterns of Qala-i Zal Rugs
Qala-i-Zal’s rugs are designed with all-over stars or diamonds and Turkmen guls. Ersari prayer rugs are among the most attractive Turkmen products. The main gul (motif) attributed to the Ersaris is a quartered octagon with club suit patterns in each. Antique Ersari pieces woven in northern Afghanistan may be generally branded as “Afghan” Rugs.
Copies of Persian designs are becoming common in recent decades among Turkmen weavers of Afghanistan.
