Vintage Baluch prayer rug from Afghanistan. 128x78 cms

A vintage soft coloured rug with beautiful colour changes thought the whole piece. Four big leaves occupy the central part of this rug and the borders have woven serrated leaves. The sheep wool is nice and soft and the blue colour touches are woven with acrylic thread. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   and some acrylic thread in the blue

Size: 128×78 cms

Origin: Baluch tribe from Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1980s

The Baloch or Baluch are an Iranian people who live mainly in the Balochistan region, located at the southeasternmost edge of the Iranian plateau, encompassing the countries of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. There are also Baloch diaspora communities in neighbouring regions, including in India, Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula.

In Islam, a prayer mat is placed between the ground and the worshipper for cleanliness during the various positions of Islamic prayer. These involve prostration and sitting on the ground. A Muslim must perform wudu (ablution) before prayer, and must pray in a clean place.

For Muslims, when praying, a niche, representing the mihrab of a mosque, at the top of the mat must be pointed to the Islamic center for prayer, Mecca. All Muslims are required to know the qibla or direction towards Mecca from their home or where they are while traveling.