(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A treasure trove of carpets crafted by some of the world's most renowned rug-makers are up on sale at this year's Dubai Carpet and Art Oasis. Walking inside the oasis built in Dubai Festival City, a world of art adorns the walls and floors of the large tent.
Featuring a large collection of antique souvenirs and art collections, the oasis features a blend of world cultures. Afghan traders showcase their wares next to Persian weavers, reflecting the global nature of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).
Weaving a traditional Afghan rug at the entrance of the oasis, Jameela Mousawi is busy tying knots on a loom. She says, the carpets reflect the heritage of cottage-based craft passed through generations.
Working a steel comb on the yarn after finishing each row of knots, Jameela pauses to share her story.
"This is culture for the people of Afghanistan. I started learning the art when I was 10 and this has been taught to me by my elders. For me, this carpet is my canvas and it allows me to tell the world a story."
The exquisite display of weavers and their art draws millions of tourist and visitors from all around the world to Dubai.
From floor coverings to ornate wall art pieces € the 6,200 square metre showcase contains around 220,000 carpets from around the world, including products from Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, and East Europe.
Jameela is one of the weavers working under the Fatima Bint Mohammed Bin Zayed Initiative (FBMI). Each of the carpets at their stall is made from indigenous Afghan wool purchased from nomads.
"Making a carpet starts with collecting raw wool in villages. The women then spin the wool into a yarn before dying it in natural dyes," explains Dawood Jabarkhyl, chairman of the FBMI centre in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Each carpet passes through the hands of as many as 200 to 250 workers. From collecting raw wool to trimming the final rug, each rug can take more than six months to complete.
"In Afghanistan, nomads have been living for centuries. They travel throughout the year and return to mountainous regions during the winter where they collect wool in small villages. This wool is sent for washing before being sent to a carpet-making center where weavers work in groups," added Dawood.
The works of Afghani weavers find a special place at the entrance of the Carpet and Art Oasis, which is celebrating 20 years being a part of Dubai Shopping Festival.
A few steps ahead Majed Ghanbari from Iran tells a different story. Pulling out a rare gold and pearl studded carpet, he takes pride in narrating stories of carpet-making and its historic importance.
"These carpets can last hundreds of years because they are made only with whatever we find in nature. It becomes more beautiful with time as the colours age gracefully," he says.
Iranian carpet is characterised by its unique motifs and design, with repeating figures forming elaborate designs.
"You can build the most beautiful palace in the world but it will never be complete without a carpet. The ornate hand-crafted floor and wall coverings create a sense of royalty and luxury which tell a unique story," articulates Majed.
Iranian carpet weavers follow a 'Naqsha' known as a design map before starting to weave the pile rugs € which is a tedious and complicated process. Finer carpets have more knots per square inch, commanding a higher price in the market.
"People sit together in houses and work on a single carpet for months. They only need the Naqsha and raw materials to complete the piece," he adds.
For tourists and visitors looking to create an unforgettable memory this DSF € the Carpet and Art Oasis is a must-visit destination. The Carpet Oasis is open for visitors Saturdays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and on Fridays from 4pm to 11pm.
Tools used in carpet-making
Loom: The loom, in which the carpet is made, is also a frame where the warp is tightened. When weaving large carpets many weavers work side by side, while one weaver works alone on a smaller loom.
Design Graph: The pattern for each carpet is drawn on a squared sheet where every square corresponds to one single knot. The weaver follows this design plate as a guideline, both for the colouring and the layout of the carpet.
Hooked Knife: It is partly used to hook onto the yarn between the warp threads with the small hook and also to cut the yarn afterwards.
Weaving Comb: Usually made of wood and metal. It is used to pack together the knots and the weft in the rows after every row in the carpet has been tied. The comb is beaten up and down along the warp in order to secure the knots.
Scissors: It is used for cutting the pile on the carpet after one or more rows have been tied.
Yarn and natural dyes: The yarn and natural dyes decide the look and feel of the carpet, depending on the material used in the weaving process.
Source: www.carpetencyclopedia.com & exhibitors at Dubai Carpet & Art Oasis
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