The last of Iraq's hand-woven carpets
Once an Iraqi trademark and a sought-after speciality, it seems like the handmade carpet industry in Iraq is drawing its last breath.
BABIL, Iraq — Umm Hassan, 60, from western al-Hamza, 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Baghdad, learned handmade carpet weaving from her mother when she was 10 and still practices the craft.
The local name given to women who weave handmade carpets is “Al-Hawwakah,” (Arabic for weaver). Umm Hassan spoke to Al-Monitor about her work.
