Embroidery / Khamak Dozi
Khamak Kari

31.6289° N, 65.7372° E

Kandahar, Afghanistan

Altitude

1,010 m above sea level

Gender

48.7% Men

51.3% Females

Population

614,118

Locally known as khamak, this famous intricate whitework embroidery is practiced in geometric satin stitch on fine cotton or linen cloth.

It was traditionally used to embellish floor-length shawls worn by southern Afghan men and by women as head-coverings (burqa).

Following in the footsteps of their mothers and grandmothers, most pashtun women learn the skill of khamak embroidery as a young girl. For many, this is the only education they ever get. Caregivers during the day, the women embroider at night.

It's very laborious style of embroidery can take months to complete a shawl.

Step 1

First the artisans choose the color of the fabric.

Step 2

Then buy the fabric and thread from the market. The color of the thread is usually kept lighter than the fabric

Step 3

After that, the size of the shirt/scarf/shawl is determined, design is traced before the actual work begins.

Step 4

The basic satin stitch is easy to learn, but how the stitches are counted and combined to create intricate complicated borders and pattern filling, it can take a lifetime to perfect.

Step 5

The satin stitch is traditionally worked from the reverse side of the material, and great care is taken to ensure that the front and back of the embroidery look alike.

Songs sung about khamak are common to all men and women. Older women sing khamak songs with tambourine at weddings. These songs are known as hemistich (Mesrai).

100

hours

approximately throughout the year. One shirt takes around 6-7 months.
One scarf takes upto 2 months.

Embroidery / Khamak Dozi Khamak Kari