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