Once Were Nomads

Textiles and Culture in Baluchistan

January 15–May 11, 2019

“Once Were Nomads” uses textiles to examine the traditional life and culture of the nomadic peoples of Baluchistan, a territory that straddles the modern borders of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The exhibition includes 45 examples of textiles including rugs, clothing, animal trappings and other such items, ranging in date from the mid-19^th to the late 20^th centuries.

The content and presentation of the exhibition was organized in collaboration with Hope College student Caleigh White ’20, whose curatorial work on the exhibition was supported by the Borgeson Scholar Program and the John H. Dryfhout ’64 Internship endowment. Many of the textiles featured in the exhibition were donated to the museum by Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey of Eureka, California, who also provided important historical information and technical analysis of the weaving.

View Once Were Nomads exhibition and additional related artworks in the KAM collection database 

Image: Bag Face with Tree of Life Design. Baluch, Northeastern Iran (Iranian). 19th century. Wool. Gift of Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey, 2019.25.29