A Kurdish Village Keeping the Ancient Art of Carpet Weaving Alive

In the Kurdish village of Dugoman, located in the mountains of northern Iraq, handmade carpet weaving is one of the traditional crafts that distinguishes the local inhabitants. This ancient craft is deeply tied to the cultural heritage of the community. The weaving technique makes Dugoman carpets unique, which differs from many other villages that use floral patterns or intricate decorations in their designs.

Local artisans emphasize that their craft is more than just a livelihood—it is a reflection of their heritage. “People admire our carpets, and visitors often take pictures, calling them beautiful. Few villages weave the way we do, using minimal or no floral patterns,” one artisan explained. The dominant color, red, is particularly favored as it matches the traditional tents of the region.

The weaving process is time-intensive, with some carpets taking only a day to complete, while others require months. “Work occasionally stops when threads embedded with stones break, and repairing them takes time,” an artisan noted. “On good days, we finish two floral patterns, but some pieces can take up to three months.”