| of History | | | | was granted asylum in India, he was joined by over |
| | | | 80,000 Tibetan refugees. Today about 130,000 |
| Tibetan rugs are unique in two ways. First, the | | | | Tibetan refugees are all over the world, but the vast |
| traditional weaving material — wool from | | | | majority of them live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan |
| Tibetan highland sheep — is some of the best | | | | — generally accommodated in large agricultural |
| wool in the world. Second, Tibetan rugs are made | | | | or craft-working centers. |
| with the unique Tibetan Knot which increases | | | | Although most fled with very little more than the |
| the density per knot over the traditional knot used in | | | | clothes on their back, over the past 50 years, the |
| all other countries. | | | | Tibetan refugees have managed to preserve their |
| Tibetan rugs continue to grow in popularity — | | | | culture and identity. When the first refugees left |
| even as the traditional Oriental rug market is suffering | | | | Tibet, they brought with them their knowledge of |
| — why? And why are they mostly made in | | | | rug making, and eventually opened weaving centers |
| Nepal and India — can they really be Tibetan | | | | to both keep their heritage alive, and to manufacture |
| rugs if they’re not made in Tibet? | | | | products that would help them to be self-sufficient |
| Tibetan rug making is an ancient, traditional craft that | | | | and not reliant on their host countries. Today, these |
| stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of | | | | centers are often hubs of social interaction where |
| years. In their nomadic tradition, these rugs primarily | | | | medical treatment is available, schools have been set |
| served practical purposes — such as horse | | | | up, and many made-to-order Tibetan rugs are hand |
| saddles, seating carpets, and wall hangings to keep | | | | made in the traditional Tibetan style for export |
| out the harsh Tibetan winters. Therefore, by | | | | across the world. |
| necessity, they are made to be extremely durable | | | | Many of the Tibetan weaving centers in Nepal and |
| and warm. | | | | India that produce most of the Tibetan rugs for |
| Tibetan rugs are unique in two ways. First, the | | | | export often now focus on contemporary styles that |
| traditional weaving material — wool from | | | | are popular in the West. This is unique in that you |
| Tibetan highland sheep — is some of the best | | | | can get a traditional, hand-made rug that will last for |
| wool in the world. The Tibetan highland sheep live | | | | generations, in today’s styles and colors. |
| at high altitudes and develop wool that is elastic and | | | | These rugs appeal to people who want quality, but |
| strong, with high lanolin content which produces a | | | | are not fond of the granny look of traditional |
| soft hand. Second, Tibetan rugs are made | | | | oriental carpets. Since they often have simple |
| with the unique Tibetan Knot which increases | | | | repeat patterns without borders, they may be placed |
| the density per knot over the traditional knot used in | | | | under, adjacent, or away from a sofa without fear |
| all other countries. The combination of these two | | | | of creating an imbalance in the room. |
| factors results in durable rugs that are both soft and | | | | Confusingly, you may also come across Tibetan |
| flexible, providing optimum warmth. | | | | rugs that are actually made in Tibet. While there |
| Tibetan culture developed under a number of factors, | | | | may be a few traditional, high quality rug |
| including its remoteness and the strong Buddhist | | | | manufacturers still left in Tibet, more often, the rugs |
| influence that pervades every aspect of life. | | | | now made in Tibet are made with imported (cheaper |
| Tibetan rugs made in traditional designs are often | | | | quality) wool, cheap dyes, and are often made by |
| made in abstract form incorporating Buddhist symbols | | | | machine! They are primarily made for the tourist |
| such as the lotus flower and crane. Traditional colors | | | | market or for visiting Chinese delegations. |
| are derived from vegetation, so are often more | | | | So, the reasons for Tibetan rugs’ popularity |
| muted. | | | | should be obvious — high quality, beautiful |
| Tibet has a long history as a sovereign nation and | | | | designs - made by dedicated Tibetan refugees using |
| was a fully independent state until the Chinese | | | | ancient methods. Just remember, Made in |
| invaded it in 1949. Since that time, there has been | | | | Tibet, doesn’t necessarily mean a |
| much debate about the political and social issues | | | | traditional Tibetan Rug, and a beautiful, high quality, |
| surrounding this occupation, but we won’t go | | | | durable Tibetan Rug more often than not is NOT |
| into that here! | | | | made in Tibet! |
| When the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 and | | | | |