Soumak kilims refer to a style of rug called flat weave that has no knots used in the weaving process and the surface looks flat. The warp strands are used as the foundation and the weft strands are used as both part of the foundation and in creating the at times intricate patterns. The weft strands are simply passed through the warp strands. This particular rug was made by village weavers following traditional methods of weaving. The process of making a rug includes cleaning, washing, and dyeing the wool which is sourced from local villages. Herat oriental works with over 2,000 village weavers to create beautiful, authentic, handmade rugs. The majority of the weavers are women, who live in the villages of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Persia, and India. As we grow, we are able to create more jobs for female weavers who otherwise would not have the opportunity to do so. The community also thrives from rug weaving as the local farmers benefit from wool sales, and the local artisans create natural and vegetable dyes for the weavers to use in their designs. Due to the handmade nature of our rugs, the size may vary from the advertised by 3-4 inches. Regular vacuuming and annual professional cleaning will keep your rug looking new for years to come.
