Hi Rich,
Perhaps this answers your question. Parsons on “The Tchitchaktu Procuction”:
The reasons for the sudden upsurge of weaving in an area with practically no carpet making traditions are twofold. Firstly, due to the catastrophic droughts of 1971 and 1972, the sheep of this region - as others - were decimated. Mounting stocks of ‘dead’ wools salvaged from the starved carcasses and the shearing of dying sheep assured a source of raw material which the local people, seeking an income, were forced to put up to the most profitable use. They turned to weaving, which craft they learned from neighbouring Turkomans. Secondly, the carpet boom of 1972 and 1973 when both price and demand shot up, could not have been more opportune; rug making as a local industry was estabilished.
Were they being produced from cartoons? Looking at the unresolved border corners, I don’t think so.
Regards,
Filiberto
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