Herat\u2019s Traditional Tilecraft Faces Extinction Due to Economic Challenges and waning Interest
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\nHerat\u2019s centuries-old tradition of handcrafted tilework, once a hallmark of Islamic art and architecture, faces imminent decline, Khaama Press reported. Artisans attribute this threat to economic hardship, insufficient financial backing, and waning interest from younger generations.<\/p>\n
At the core of the Great Mosque of Herat, one of the city\u2019s last active traditional tile workshops, artisans craft two signature styles: haft rang (seven-color tiles) and moaraq (inlaid tilework). These pieces are meticulously created by hand\u2014from designing and painting to firing in traditional kilns. What makes Herat\u2019s tiles unique is their intricate calligraphy in classical nastaliq script, reflecting painstaking craftsmanship.<\/p>\n
However, wages no longer cover basic expenses. Ahmad Jan Ahmadi, a tileworker, explained, \u201cWith 5,700 Afghanis a month, how can I afford water, electricity, or food?\u201d Rising costs for utilities and raw materials have not been matched by salary increases, discouraging many from continuing the craft. Previously, up to 70 artisans worked in the workshop; now only six remain. Experts warn that without urgent support, this historic art form may disappear, erasing an essential part of Afghanistan\u2019s cultural identity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Herat\u2019s Traditional Tilecraft Faces Extinction Due to Economic Challenges and waning Interest ————————————– Herat\u2019s centuries-old tradition of handcrafted tilework, once a hallmark of Islamic art and architecture, faces imminent decline, Khaama Press reported. Artisans attribute this threat to economic hardship, insufficient financial backing, and waning interest from younger generations. At the core of the Great …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":127811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afghanistan"],"yoast_head":"\n