Above is a photo taken by James Cummings: a pillow made with all natural fibers that originate in Afghanistan. The peacock pillow was created by a member of the Rubia organization, a group that raises money through the sale of Afghan-made embroideries. They are sold in Kabul and in the United States. Rachel Lehr, an American woman who is fluent in all of the dialects spoken in that far away country, has been instrumental in working with Afghan women in their attempt at a better life via literacy for themselves and their children. Travel is not safe in that country, yet Rachel has visited there on numerous occasions, under the shield of a burqa.
Several years ago, we had a chance to hear a talk by Hafiza Malikbaba, translated by Rachel Lehr. This resulted in a magazine article for The Quilter, and the following file that is presently on our website: http://www.quiltersmuse.com/afghanistan_embroideries.htm
To see updates on current Rubia activities, please access their current newsletter at: http://www.rubiahandwork.org/newsletter.html
Their annual calendar is now available. The calendar features the poetry of the women of Afghanistan. “They are songs of nature and earth, life and death, love and war.” See: www.rubiahandwork.org/calendar.html
This is a worthy cause.
Patricia Cummings
