Rahrah (Embroidered) Kilims: Culture and Elegance Woven with Embroidery

Introduction: The Tradition of Embroidery on Kilim
The Rahrah kilim is a unique synthesis of traditional embroidery art applied to a handwoven kilim base. This special type is considered one of the pinnacles of Anatolia’s creative weaving and embroidery culture. Rahrah, literally meaning “embroidered” or “ornamented,” represents the perfect meeting of kilim weaving and handcraft.

Historical Development and Origins of the Rahrah Kilim

  • History and Birth of the Rahrah Kilim
    The Rahrah kilim tradition is primarily concentrated in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. This art, which developed especially in the regions of Diyarbakır, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep, had its golden age in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its origin is based on women embroidering plain-woven kilims to make them more special and valuable.
    In the historical process, Rahrah kilims:

    • Developed as a product of decorative arts that received more attention with the transition from nomadic to settled life.
    • Were inspired by luxury items used in palaces and mansions and adapted into folk art.
    • Became one of the most important components of wedding and dowry preparations.
  • Cultural and Social Significance
    Rahrah kilims were not only floor coverings but also a status symbol. The intensity of the embroidery, the colors used, and the motifs indicated the family’s social standing and the skill of the woman who wove/embroidered it. As the most precious item in dowry chests, they were passed down from generation to generation.

Production Stages of the Rahrah Kilim: A Two-Layered Art

  1. Base Weaving: Preparation of the Kilim Ground
    The making of a Rahrah begins first with weaving a high-quality kilim ground. This stage is identical to the classic kilim weaving process:

    • Material Selection: The kilim ground used for Rahrah is usually woven from finely spun wool yarn. This provides a smooth surface for embroidery. In some regions, cotton warp is used.
    • Weaving Technique: A tightly woven, flat, and thin kilim is preferred. The pattern is usually simple or contains minimal geometric shapes, as the main decoration will be done with embroidery.
    • Color Choice: Dark tones (deep red, navy, black, brown) are preferred for the ground color. This dark background allows the colorful embroideries on it to stand out more.
  2. The Heart of the Art: The Hand Embroidery Stage
    Once the ground kilim is ready, the true artistic process, the embroidery stage, begins. This stage requires detailed pattern design and masterful handiwork.
    Embroidery Threads:

    • Wool Thread: Fine threads spun from the same wool as the kilim.
    • Silk Thread: Used in luxurious Rahrahs for sheen and fineness.
    • Metallic Thread (Sırma): Silver or gold-colored metallic threads are used in Rahrahs prepared for special occasions.
      Embroidery Needles: Special, fine-pointed embroidery needles.
      Pattern Transfer: Traditionally, patterns are drawn freehand onto the kilim surface with chalk powder or charcoal. Today, ready-made stencils are sometimes also used.
      Traditional Rahrah Embroidery Techniques:
    1. Flat Stitch:
      • Muşabak (Plain Embroidery): The most common technique. The thread is advanced flatly on the kilim surface.
      • Tire İşi (Satin Stitch): Flat embroidery done in parallel lines.
    2. Chain Stitch:
      • A technique consisting of interconnected loops, giving a crochet-like appearance. Especially heavily used in the type known as “Antep işi.”
    3. Couching Stitch:
      • A technique where a thick thread is fixed to the kilim surface with finer threads. Used for contour lines and outlines.
    4. Metal Thread Embroidery:
      • Luxurious embroidery using metallic threads, often made for religious and special ceremonies.
    5. Bead and Sequins Embroidery:
      • In some regions, colored glass beads or metal sequins are sewn on in addition to embroidery to create a three-dimensional effect.
  1. Characteristic Features of Rahrah Kilims
    World of Patterns and Motifs
    Rahrah kilim motifs are more delicate and detailed than standard kilim weaving motifs. Their primary sources are:

    • Floral Motifs: Tulip, carnation, rose, hyacinth, pomegranate flower, cypress tree. Stylized forms of nature.
    • Geometric Motifs: Star, diamond, triangle, circle. Especially used in borders.
    • Object Motifs: Vase, pot, oil lamp, crown. Objects from daily life or carrying symbolic meanings.
    • Symbolic Motifs: Tree of life, fertility symbols, amulet (nazar), hand figures.
      Composition: Rahrahs usually consist of a central medallion (göbek) and wide borders surrounding it. The insides of the borders are also decorated with sub-borders.
      Color Palette
    • Primary Colors: Gold yellow, silver grey, turquoise green, red, pink, orange on a dark background.
    • Contrast: Light and bright colors create a strong contrast with the dark ground.
    • Color Harmony: Traditional color harmony rules (e.g., the use of red and green side by side) are strictly adhered to.

Regional Rahrah Traditions: Anatolia’s Embroidery Map

  1. Diyarbakır Rahrah Kilims
    • Features: The oldest and most valuable Rahrah examples come from this region.
    • Motifs: Pomegranate, tulip, and cypress motifs are predominant.
    • Colors: Gold yellow and white embroideries on a burgundy ground.
    • Technique: Combination of chain stitch and flat stitch.
  2. Gaziantep Rahrah Kilims (Antep İşi)
    • Features: Famous for the use of silk thread.
    • Motifs: Rose, carnation, and vase motifs are dominant.
    • Colors: Pink, red, white on a dark green or navy ground.
    • Technique: Predominantly chain stitch.
  3. Mardin and Şanlıurfa Rahrah Kilims
    • Features: Types where religious and cultural symbols are intensively used.
    • Motifs: Oil lamp, depiction of the Kaaba, crescent and star.
    • Colors: Red and green on a black or dark brown ground.
    • Technique: Predominantly couching stitch and metal thread embroidery.
  4. Adıyaman Rahrah Kilims
    • Features: Famous for examples with bead and sequin embroidery.
    • Motifs: Tree of life and bird figures.
    • Colors: A vibrant and multicolored palette is used.
    • Technique: Flat stitch and bead sewing.

The Place and Preservation of Rahrah Kilims Today

  • Rahrah in Modern Design
    Today, the Rahrah kilim tradition is sustained in two ways:

    1. Traditional Production:
      • Production continues using original techniques in village cooperatives and family workshops.
      • There are masters protected under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” scope.
    2. Contemporary Interpretations:
      • Interior designers and designers reinterpret the Rahrah technique with modern colors and patterns, transforming it into wall panels, cushions, and decorative pieces.
      • Luxury fashion houses use Rahrah motifs in fabric designs.
  • Rahrah Kilim Care and Preservation Recommendations
    • Cleaning: Use a soft brush for dusting; prefer professional hand-woven cleaners for deep cleaning.
    • Storage: Should be stored in a dehumidified, cool, and dark environment, rolled (not folded).
    • Sunlight: Direct sunlight fades colors; prolonged exposure should be avoided.
  • Collection Value and Market
    • Antique Rahrahs: Original Rahrahs from the 19th and early 20th centuries fetch high prices in art galleries and auctions.
    • New Production High-Quality Rahrahs: Sold at prices reflecting manual labor and time, via special order or in art galleries.

Conclusion: The Flawless Union of Two Arts
Rahrah kilims are a unique cultural synthesis where the art of weaving meets the art of embroidery on Anatolian soil. Each one is an expression of months of labor, pattern knowledge passed down through generations, and colors from nature. Sustaining this art means preserving not just a handicraft, but women’s centuries-old creative expression and a page of our cultural memory woven with embroidery. When you look at a Rahrah kilim, you see not just an object, but a speaking work of art holding a lifetime within.