ARZU STUDIO HOPE (ARZU, Inc.)

Afghanistan

Year(s) attended: 2011

ARZU STUDIO HOPE rugs are woven on looms in the homes of weavers in rural Afghanistan. Woven with a cotton or wool foundation, the wool used is hand-dyed by master dyers. Many ARZU dyes are derived from natural materials including madder root for red, walnut husks for brown, and pomegranate for yellow. The handspun wool absorbs dye unevenly to produce variegated color – known as abrash. This charming irregularity creates rugs that are individual and full of character.

In addition to creating and testing new models for sustainable community development, an important objective of ARZU’s mission is to help preserve traditional, indigenous artisan skills and to help re-establish the reputation of Afghan carpets as some of the world’s finest. All ARZU projects are developed at the grassroots level, in cooperation with village Shuras and with respect for cultural sensitivities, as well as with an eye to local capacity building.