Mushwani Mixed-Technique Rug

The Mushwani are a Afghani tribe located south of Herat near Shindand. They are sometimes incorrectly identified as a Baluch tribe, but they are of Pashtun origin. Pashtuns generally do not have a tradition of weaving pile carpets, but this tribe is an exception; their products are unusual, as they weave a kilim and pile mix which is sometimes referred to as an ''embossed'' or compound weave. Many of their rugs are small and square-shaped.