Kirkuk artisans preserve legacy of handwoven carpets

KIRKUK — Skilled artisans are keeping the traditional craft of handwoven carpet-making alive in the heart of Kirkuk, s creating intricate designs that blend tradition, precision, and artistry into every thread.

Located on Baghdad Road in Kirkuk since 2019, the Kirkuk Carpet Factory originally opened in 1993 in the Taseen area. The factory produces intricate carpets crafted entirely by hand.

“Iranian and Turkish carpets are predominantly machine-made, but local carpets are skillfully woven by talented artisans who can create any requested design with exceptional precision and quality,” Salman Abdulrahman, deputy director of the Kirkuk Carpet Factory told 964media.

He highlighted that all materials, including silk and wool threads, are sourced locally, ensuring both authenticity and affordable pricing.

Inside the factory, artisans such as Nada Ibrahim and Shaima Khmas meticulously carry out the carpet-making process, which involves several stages. Each carpet, whether adorned with personal portraits or traditional designs, takes at least a month to complete, depending on its size and complexity. The artisans use main tools such as the hook and scissors.

Nada Ibrahim explained to 964media, “The weaving process follows specific patterns provided by the factory, based on size, width, and design requirements. Some carpets feature personal or heritage-themed imagery, and each piece demands time and precision.”

The carpets produced at the Kirkuk factory are celebrated for their durability, artistic quality, and cultural significance. Despite growing competition from imported machine-made products, the factory continues to thrive.

Meanwhile, Shaima Khmas shared insights into her most challenging projects, including carpets depicting the Iranian poet Omar Khayyam, Iraqi domes, the Ishtar Gate, the lyre, and Kirkuk Citadel. She emphasized that these designs required extraordinary attention to detail and care.