Afghan war rug - Soviet Exodus rug

This war rug commemorates the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in the 1990s. Bright blue is used in the map of Afghanistan, providing a sharp contrast to the red of the roads depicted on the rug which show Soviet tanks leaving Afghanistan. Stylised grenades, helicopters and weapons fill the background of the rug. Afghan war rugs provide an important and unique perspective on the political history of conflict in Afghanistan. War rugs were originally produced as a result of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. The rugs were woven by members of tribal groups with long traditions of carpet weaving including the Hazara, Uzbek, Turkoman and Baluch, who occupy regions on the Afghan-Iran border. Originally intended as souvenirs for the occupying Russian forces, traditional flower, bird , animal and vase motifs were replaced by those inspired by Soviet tanks, helicopters and weapons. Many were sold on to the markets in Kabul and began to be produced for markets in Europe and the United States. War rugs have now been woven to reflect the many periods of conflict that have occured in Afghanistan; the Soviet invasion (1979-80), the civil war, leadership under Najibullah and the Mujahideen (1993-1996), Taliban rule (1996-2001) and the current 'war against terrorism' (2001- ).