Cultural Survival Projects
DOBAG Cultural Survival Project
Freshly minted rugs
from the DOBAG
project in Turkey.
DOBAG, a Turkish acronym for Natural Dye Research and Development Project, is responsible for weaving some of the finest carpets in the world today. This highly successful Cultural Survival Project was started in 1982 by Dr. Harold Bohmer in the villages south of Istanbul, Turkey. The DOBAG project has restored the integrity of the ancient folk art of hand weaving carpets and established in these villages the first ever woman’s rug weaving cooperative in the Islamic world.
Barakat Cultural Survival Project
Barakat school
opening ceremony.
In 1999, Chris Walter and others founded the non-profit organization called Barakat, Inc. This name is an Arabic and Persian term often used after a satisfying transaction and to bestow blessings and good will upon the other party. This organization is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to various ethnic groups associated with carpet weaving in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India and to preserve the earth’s environment.
Barakat Ersari Cultural Survival Project
Ersari Weavers
at work.
In l988, Chris Walter founded the Cultural Survival Ersari Project with Afghan Turkmen refugees in North Pakistan.
Tibetan Cultural Survival Project
Residents of Chungba Valley, Kham, Tibet
come
to
celebrate opening of their new school.
The Cultural Survival Tibetan Project, was founded by Chris Walter in 1990. The basis of this project is much like the Ersari Project. It explores the rich heritage of the Tibetan weaving tradition through the use of vegetable dyes, hand carded and hand spun wool.