Nina Power

Sad but beautiful exhibition of Afghanistan’s war rugs

In a tiny corner of a large gallery in the British Museum is a perfectly formed show of a striking modern Afghan tradition

Afghan war rugs, fusing traditional weaving with military motifs, began appearing after the 1979 Soviet invasion. © The Trustees of the British Museum 
issue 09 November 2024

Decades after its inclusion in the Hippie Trail, Afghanistan is again open to tourism, according to the Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. It is perhaps a source of regret for the group that the 6th-century Buddhas of Bamiyan are missing in action. They were blown up in 2001 either, depending on who you ask, because of Islam’s strict beliefs on anti-idolatry or to punish the West for offering money to preserve them rather than give aid to starving children.

The war rugs, depicting camels and flowers alongside rocket launchers, are striking and jarring

While the country continues to export fruit, nuts and insect...

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