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rugs weaving traditions in the area originated with the
nomadic tribes of Central Asia. Nomadic rugss are woven on
portable looms, which limited the size of a rugs as well as
the tightness of its weave. The main purpose was clearly more
functional than artistic. Weaving created not only rugss,
but also items such as saddlebags, kilims, and wall hangings.
Women continue to be the weavers and in many villages rugs
weaving has social, practical and economic dimensions. Daughters
are taught to weave from a very early age in hopes that this
will make them more marriageable. The Kiz rugss refer to
rugss made in homes or villages by young women of marriageable
age for their grooms.
It is interesting to note that only women weave rugss
and kilims, while men repair them. Male rugs weavers are
not accepted in Turkish culture. Our group visited a rugs
repair factory, a "rug hospital". While the majority
of employees are men, there are also a few women who work
there.
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