KALASH

Women of the Kalash

by Carole Keller

Oil on canvas

The people of the Kalash live in the Hindu Kush, in a mountain range that branches off the Himalayas in far Northeast Pakistan. 

Some experts believe the Kalash people are descendants of Alexander the Great's army. Until recently, their traditions have kept them in a very private and separate society. They've been the last surviving non Muslim minority. Today however they are becoming more well known to the outside world. Their fascinating culture is unlike any other in the region.

This short documentary is about Sayed Gul, a Kalash woman and anthropologist. It's a wonderful piece that shows the culture and how she is working to preserve it.

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Kalash Headress

  

It appears their dress has remained the same over the centuries. Above, a women's ceremonial headdress of sheep's wool trimmed with buttons, cowry shells, coins, feathers and wool fringe.

Above, a man's traditional Kalash boiled wool hat.  Men of other groups have adopted it as well. In fact, our guide in the Kaghan Valley wore just such a hat! There are 3 or 4 in the collection of varying natural wool colors.

Girls and women's headdresses are worn on a daily basses.  Ceremonial hats are worn over the top for special festivals. Below is an older example of a woman's headdress.

Their long black dresses are embroidered in colorful designs, as in the video earlier in this post. There is a wealth of information about these interesting people online.

Spring Festival

by Carole Keller

Oil on Canvas

Please go to YouTube and to see another wonderful, colorful, and informative documentary on the Kalash. Click Here

Check out my other posts to see more from the Journey of Traditions collection.

Beautiful Handwork of Sindh Pakistan

Resting in the Afternoon (Sindh)

by Carole Keller

Oil on Canvas

The Sindh province of Pakistan is known for its beautiful needlework. Here are some wonderful examples!

A young girl's hand embroidered dress front. The back is open to keep her cool. This area of Southern Pakistan is very warm!

Below, a woman's vest of cotton with fine silk embroidery and metal wrapped thread. Mid twentieth century in beautiful condition!

This next piece is probably about 70 years old, as well. The tunic is embroidered with metal wrapped silk and is absolutely gorgeous. The color palette, embroidery, and application of mirrored mica is a wonderful example of the handwork from this area. 

A heart shaped man's hat worn throughout Sindh is delicately embroidered in a soft turquoise blue-grey.

This next piece is a wonderful tasseled bag to be used as a purse or Koran cover. 

Look below at how fine the embroidery is! The color palette and designs are fantastic. I wonder if Missoni had taken note of this work ...

This is a pillow cover or wedding cloth. It has gold and silver wrapped embroidery thread with mica mirrors.

Hope you've enjoyed this sampling of Sindh pieces from the collection. There is so much beauty and artistry to appreciate from this area of Pakistan. Please feel free to visit my other posts. You'll see more from the other provinces and cultures within Central Asia.

Incredible Jewelry of South Central Asia

It's been a couple of months since my last post! I thought it was time to show you something a little more specific. Jewelry! 

Living in Islamabad in the mid to late 1990s it was possible to find jewelry from the various regions in South Central Asia. There were small shops and outdoor markets where you could find silver or "German silver" pieces. I'm not sure what would even be available if you were to travel there today. 

These are a sampling of what is in the collection.

Large Ornate Tribal Necklace

Hand tooled silver and glass embellishment

possibly Sindh or ... Northern Aghanistan

circa...early 20th Century

Below is a detail of piece necklace above. It is large and quite heavy to wear! Beautiful for a photo shoot but I think you'd have to spend some time with your chiropractor. 

This next silver ornament could have been worn several different ways. It might have hung from a woman's hair, hat or clothing.

Kuchi Ornament

"German Silver" and colored glass

Kuchi Tribes of Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan

first have 20th Century

Large Ornamental Earrings

Hand tooled "German Silver"

Afghan

These are not as rare but still beautiful examples of Turkomen bracelet cuffs.

Pair of  Turkomen Bracelets

Silver and 

Turkomen 

Mid 20th Century

Kuchi Necklace and Earrings

German silver and colored glass

Kuchi Tribe of Pakistan/Afghanistan

Many of these pieces cross borders and the age is unknown. You see this with many pieces from tribal areas.

Embellished Silver Hoop Earrings

Tooled silver

Afghanistan

Mid 20th Century (probable)

Collection of Silver and German Silver Pendants

German Silver with red glass

Afghan

The long narrow piece, in the photo above, is made to hold a small Koran. 

This next pendant is an older piece. It is quite intricate and very beautiful. 

Refined Silver Pendant

Hand tooled silver with carnelian inset

Turkmen

First half of 20th century

Ornamental Bracelet with Rings

Hand tooled silver with gold wash, set with carnelian 

Turkmen

Mid 20th Century

I hope you've enjoyed this selection of jewelry from the collection. There is more to come!

Bibi and a Horse Named Douldoul

Journey of Traditions is my new book of short stories. It was created, along with my paintings and illustrations, to accompany a future exhibition of artifacts from South Central Asia.

In my story "Bibi and a horse named Doul Doul" Bibi dreams of sitting on her father's favorite horse.

This beautiful Buzkashi [polo] whip, which I included in my painting above, is made of wood, silver and leather and set with carnelians.

Here are more artifacts from the future exhibition Journey of Traditions.

A typical Buskashi hat.  Suede trimmed with fur.

I found this beautiful baby blanket while traveling in Turkey! It shows how far things travel and you never know where you will find something from another area. This little blanket is hand embroidered with God's eyes for protection.  It is made with hand woven wool.

I found this wonderful little young girl's ceremonial hat in the weekend market in Islamabad. It is also included in my illustration above. It's trimmed with lapis, wood beads, silver beads and coins, with inlaid glass silver ornaments, on cotton.

Copper Betel Nut Box



Closed Betel Nut Box

This incredible women's Turkoman coat is intricately embroidered with silk thread.  The hat is also hand embroidered with silver ornaments

Hat Detail

Hand woven ornament used to decorate Turkoman tents.

Afghan Samovar tea pot.  Copper with hand etching.

Young child's tiny cotton dress. Cowrie shells, glass beads, coins and german silver ornaments for protection. 

Turkoman women's shoes.  Leather, wood, embroidered with silk.

This, below, is a wool hand woven tent wrap, used to decorate as well as hold a yurt together. It can be inside or outside of the tent. It's wonderful to see the detail and beautiful artistry in every day objects.

It's exciting to share these beautiful artifacts from the people of South Central Asia. Many of these works are old and quite rare.

Coming up, some wonderful works from the Islamabad, Pakistan!

Thanks for visiting!

The Story of Aysha in the Swat Valley of Pakistan

Aysha The Wood Carvers Daughter by Carole Keller
Oil on Canvas

If you are new to this blog, I've just published a book of short stories. I've integrated artifacts I've collected, in Pakistan, into my illustrations. The painting above is an example of one of the characters.

The girl in the portrait is named Aysha and lives in the Swat Valley of northwestern Pakistan. I painted her wearing a wedding dress, below, which I found in a store filled with vintage textiles while I was living in Islamabad. 

There are over 200 panels of fabric sewn together in the skirt alone.  Buttons and coins adorn the dress.

Aysha also wears a silver necklace with red glass.

In this next painting, Aysha is entering her home, built by the men in her family, who are wood carvers.  Her aunt is cooking and her grandmother is holding 

her younger brother. You'll see the artifacts below that I included in the illustration.

Wooden mud shoes that Aysha wears are also used in the snow. The "uppers" are made of jute.

Above, a ceramic fire ring that is placed on the ground for cooking. It's very heavy! I found it the day before we left Pakistan. I'm sure the people with the moving company thought I was nuts!

Aysha's little brother wears a  silk embroidered hat

with beads. 

Below, a snow shovel, chair, window, and small table with a beautiful copper bowl. The copper wear is so beautiful in Pakistan and a lot came from other areas including the pieces made in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

I thought I'd include some other artifacts in the post that would be used in this same area of Pakistan. The next piece is obviously an iron. It's made of wood and heavy brass which is filled with coal for heat.

This hand carved cheese pot and butter turn are quite large. It's the only one I saw in 3 years of living there. I'm not sure if it's my imagination but I'm pretty sure I can still smell the cheese!

Low wooden storage chest which you can find here, as well.

Hand carved animal amulets help keep track of livestock. They are hung around a goat or sheep's neck to identify the tribe.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Please check out my two previous posts, below. 

Be back soon! Inshallah! :-)

Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

As I mentioned in my previous post, Journey of Traditions is my new book of short stories. It was created, along with my paintings and illustrations, to accompany a future exhibition of artifacts from South Central Asia.

My story Maleeha's Dream is about a girl from eastern Afghanistan.  She is rescued by a family of Nomads, including Bashir and his grandfather (pictured below.) 

Within my illustrations you see artifacts from the collection. Below you see the gold ceremonial hat Bashir wears in the painting.

In the story, Bashir and his family set up camp at dusk.  

An Afghan Rubaab is a stringed instrument used often used by traveling musicians. It also features in the story.

The following are just a sampling of the articles from the exhibition collection. 

A camel seat made of Sheesham wood and inlaid brass.

Below, a hand stitched Ralli camel cover from Pakistan. The blue and red fabrics are intricately appliqued onto the white background!

Afghan ceremonial hat covered with hand strung beads and tassels formed over the cap.

Women's Afghan sleeve cuffs embroidered with gold wrapped thread.

Hand tooled copper milk bucket from Afghanistan

Womens Kuchi nomad dress.  (Cotton, silk and embroidery)

Koran cover or purse and pillow cover
(Embroidered silk thread on cotton)

Afghan child's dress front. Silver wrapped thread embroidery on cotton with hand beading.

(detail)

If you are interested in my fully color illustrated book of short stories go to my store "kikistrunk" on Etsy!

Click here!

Thanks for visiting and checking out my new blog!

More to come!