Discover how weavers in Afghanistan recorded the country's turbulent history in traditional rugs.
On 24 December 1979 Soviet troops crossed the border into Afghanistan, beginning a protracted 10-year war. As the country was transformed by conflict, Afghan weavers started to include imagery of modern warfare in their carpets and rugs. Birds were replaced by military helicopters and guns took the place of flowers. This fusion of traditional crafts with the recording of contemporary history created a new artform: Afghan war rugs.
This display in The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world presents some of the remarkable rugs from the British Museum collection, alongside a selection of objects that explore Afghanistan's complex past and turbulent present.
Afghanistan's traditions of carpet-weaving reflect its ethnic diversity. Weavers from different tribal groups made rugs with their own styles and motifs. However, when much of the population was displaced by the Soviet-Afghan war and driven into refugee camps, these distinctions began to disappear. Hybrid designs emerged, with new kinds of imagery and depictions of events such as the Soviet retreat and the US-led 'war on terror'.
Despite their dark subject matter, Afghanistan War Rugs are also seen as symbols of resilience and survival. Woven predominantly by women, these rugs represent a form of artistic expression and cultural preservation amidst the chaos of war. They serve as visual documentation of the brutality and devastation of war, reflecting the personal experiences and collective memory of the Afghan people.
Initially bought by military personnel, journalists and diplomatic and humanitarian staff working in the region, war rugs are now collected and exhibited worldwide. They continue to be produced to this day to reflect Afghanistan's changing political landscape.
War rugs: Afghanistan's knotted history: 4 October 2024 – 29 June 2025
Room 43a, The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG
Opening Hours Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
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