E is for Embroidery

Today, when the letter at ABC Wednesday is E, I'd like to show you some more exquisite embroidery of the Kazakhs in Mongolia. 

Earlier this year, I introduced a Kazakh embroiderer of dream quilts. She and the four generations of her family live in the small town of Hovd, capital of the far western aimag (province) bearing the same name.

Deep in the interior, in the remotest areas of the aimag, our small group was warmly welcomed as honored guests into a number of family dwellings called gers.

Hovd, Mongolia, 2007

Also known as yurts, gers are nomadic tents typically made of white felt (heavy canvas) covering a wood lattice frame. First seen from the top of a hill, you are about to enter this ger with a colorful door.

 

Of the various ethnic peoples living harmoniously in Hovd, it is the Kazakhs who decorate their homes most handsomely. They typically cover the entire wall of their ger with intricately embroidered quilts and other adornments in brilliant colors. The designs are traditional, often with creative and unique adaptations.

This is the family that lives here, in the most splendid of gers. In stark contrast to the barren landscape outside, the interior was warm and bright.

The elder woman was happy to tell us about her various kinds of embroidery projects.

Towards the end of her presentation, she pulled out one of the more beautiful dream quilts I have seen. She told us she had embroidered it before her marriage to her husband. Her eyes told me she was struggling with the idea, but ultimately she told us she wanted to sell it. I bought it for her asking price, and here I sit holding it with her. Isn't it a beaut!?

photo taken by my good friend and travel mate Ruth Malloy

Here is a video of how this embroidery is done.