Embroiders

The power of the hands

HAND EMBROIDERY IS A CENTURy OLD PRACTICE IN AFGHANISTAN AND THE REGION. IT IS AN ART THAT ENABLES ALL WOMEN FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, WHETHER URBAN OR NOMADIC, TO EXPRESS THEIR CREATIVITY AND CULTURAL AWARENESS. OFTEN THESE EMBROIDERIES ACT AS A MEANS OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND ECONOMIC EMPOwERMENt.

IMAGES BY Enayatullah AzaD/NRC

THESe HAND EMBROIDERIES “suzanis” ARE OFTEN A WAY TO BRING BACK TO OUR INNER SPACE THE BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENt.

Often these Suzanis represent flowers and fruits such as pomegranates, symbolizing fecundity and abundance, or other forms for protection against the evil eye.