Suzani Textiles
Suzani textiles are a form of decorative and embroidered tribal print cloth made in Uzbekistan and other Asian countries. These textiles are still in production today; however, the process has significantly changed from the historical hand-crafted work. The word suzani comes from the Persian ‘suzan’, which means ‘needle’.
Many people from Uzbekistan were nomadic pastoralists who moved around and needed portable housing, such as yurts and textiles, to support their lifestyle. This led to the development of the Suzani style.
Suzani textiles had multiple functions and purposes. Initially constructed and wrapped around yurt homes for protection, these intricate and colourful pieces were used as bedding, prayer mats, and moveable seating mats. Suzani’s pieces also held symbolic significance. Each type of stitch on the textile was imbued with spiritual powers. The motifs formed by four types of stitches were believed to embed protection, offer strength, and provide hope for fertility and longevity.
The cultural traditions of Suzani were also connected to marriage dowries for brides. Brides and mothers made Suzanis a part of the dowry, which was presented to the groom on the wedding day. The luck symbols adorned the textiles, conveying the importance of the two families becoming intertwined. Pomegranates were often selected for embroidered designs because they symbolised fertility. Usually, the symbols of luck, long life, fertility, and health were sewn upon the textiles to bring forth the hope each new marriage represented.
