Culture of Carpeting:Ethiopia

Ethiopian Carpeting

Located in the Horn Africa one of the oldest known locations of human existence

The Kingdom of Aksum was one of the great powers of the ancient world and was

Encompassed parts of modern day Ethiopia,Eritrea,Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan

Had trade routes along the Nile through Egypt and to India as well

Previously known as Abyssinia

Typically known for lightweight textile woven in linen and cotton used in a blanket called a gabi

The city of Debre Berhan was a city for rug making in the ancient world

The Gabi

Video of Weavers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfRpusYJpWc

Traditional motifs consits of religious iconography and simple abstract interlocking units and frets influenced by the various cultures that resided or invaded throughout time

Islamic influence

Mohammed followers fled there after the Hijra 

The Coptic/Byzantine

Christian influence mixed with native culture this primarily started in Egypt during the Roman empire and spread further south

Carved Rock Church Lalibella 

The rugs are usually pile but can occur in a flatweave in some cases

Generally neutral in color due to use of undyed sheep wool

More complex designs are used in religious spaces than the everyday versions