"ABAD" beneficiary: Kamala Nasrullayeva | Region: Ismayilly | Carpet weaving





Kamala Nasrullayeva,
a resident of Lahij village in the Ismayilli district of Azerbaijan, has
devoted herself to the traditional craft of carpet weaving. From an early age,
Ms. Nasrullayeva exhibited a profound passion for this art form, stating:
“I learned the
technique of knotting at the age of five from my mother. Our household was
consistently engaged in weaving Shirvan carpets.”
Upon reaching
adulthood, Ms. Nasrullayeva was employed at a carpet factory in Lahij, an
initiative supported by ABAD. Following the factory’s closure, she remained
steadfast in her commitment to her craft. Rather than abandoning her
profession, she further honed her skills by mastering the ornamental patterns
of various Azerbaijani carpets, including Qunul, Pirabadil, Gobustan, and
others.
She explains: “After
the factory’s closure, we began selling carpets to tourists. However, the
mountainous location of our village poses challenges for year-round tourism,
limiting our sales to seasonal periods. This was, understandably,
unsatisfactory. ABAD, however, provides us with support 365 days a year, for
which we are immensely grateful.”
It is noteworthy
that Ms. Nasrullayeva’s support is facilitated through ABAD’s collaborative
project with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global
Environment Facility, titled “Ensuring Alternative Income Sources for
Communities in High Mountainous Regions.”