Baluch - #687

Afghan Baluch (And Baluch-like production):
The Baluch are nomadic tribes located primarily in the areas west and south-west of Herat adjoining The Iranian border. They are primarily from the Chakhansur district in the irrigated part of the Seistan desert. The Baluch can be divided into two main ethnic groups, the Rukhshantis and the Brahuis, numbering some 300,000 with over 100 clans and sub-clans. Their true origins are not known, but they are probably descended from old Persian stock, who established in the mountains of Kirman, were pushed east by the Turkic invasions of the 11th and 12th centuries.
The distinguishing characteristics of Afghan Baluch carpets are that they are made entirely of wool (Iranian Baluch use cotton warps and wefts). Many pieces contain the makers hallmark (usually a large dot of colour extraneous to the design). All weaving is done on horizontal looms, and only women do the weaving. Wool comes from the Baluchi and Ghilzai breeds of sheep in the South. Baluch carpets vary widely in style, quality and colours. They are today mostly chemical colours but some natural colours are also used. Baluch carpets tend to be long, dark and narrow.
The Baluch-type carpets are similar in design and construction but are made by Pashtun people from Farah. The Pashtun have learned their carpet making from the Baluch. The northern tribes are semi-nomadic, of mixed origin and are Persian speaking.
Others making Baluch-like carpets are the Chahar Aimaq the largest tribe of which are the Taimani- from a mountainous area to the south east of Herat. The Taimani produce a design called the Dokhtar-i-Qazi (or judges daughter) . Prayer carpets usually have a single mihrab and a repetitive motif and often contain orange and white. The Yaqub Khanah (House of Jacob) design. The Jan Begi are a small Persian speaking tribe in the Ghorian district who make small but superb quality carpets with a floral motif. The Mushwani are of Puashtun origin but are now primarily Persian speaking. They were known for the finest kilims, but now make mostly rugs of excellent quality.

The favorite colors of Baluch carpets are a rich burgundy with some very dark navy blue and accents of beige. Beluchis often have either an overall pattern like a tree-of-life or a prayer rug design. Frequently they show a pattern of repeated and highly stylized camel feet. Most of the Beluchi rugs rugs are small in size, double wefted, asymmetrical, and in typical tribal design, sometimes with the use of goat hair. Other spellings: Balouch, Balouchi, Beluch, Beluchi, Beluchis, Belouch, Belouchis.