Lebanon, Kinship Stories, Kuchi Bird

Around 30 cms to the end of the tassels

Name: Kuchi Bird

Collection: Celebrating Art and Supporting Artisanship

Cultures: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ghana

This handmade tribal art necklace comprises a variety of cultures and carries, between its beads & threads, historical evidence of a world on the verge of extinction.

The base of this necklace is Uzbek. It is handmade on the loom, creating alternating colors and patterns along a woven belt.

In the center is a spectacular vintage Kuchi amulet from Afghanistan. Made with metal, it is typical of this tribe, which still roams Afghanistan and is well known for its beautiful textiles and metal work. 

Attached to the bird are vintage Turkoman tassels. They are around 60-80 years old and they once adorned the borders of someone’s tapestry

The triangular pieces on top are vintage hand-embroidered amulets from Afghanistan. Such pieces of textiles have historically been sewn to clothing or attached at home doors, and have hid, within them, a variety of protective prayers. Triangles are prized for their protective powers in most cultures.

The colored bead on the side is a Krobo bead from Ghana. Made of recycled glass or locally sourced clay, such pieces belong to a tradition of bead making that extends over a thousand year. Today, they are still made in the same way, with the base inserted into hand molds then painted by hand on top.

Finally, the crochet flower at the top is a Turkish oya, or a handmade lace flower from the region of Anatolia. Anatolian women are well-known for their beautiful oyas, often adorning the rims of scarves and clothes in the country.

In a world of technology, globalization, and consumerism, this necklace stands as a call for authenticity, uniqueness, distinction and culture. This necklace is for you, the woman who can communicate the kinship stories, our ancestor’s stories, but also the woman who appreciates beauty and cherishes her originality. It is entirely handmade and is a one-of-a-kind piece, just like you.