Originating as a way to decorate household items of utilitarian use, handcraft production has played a central role in Afghan women's lives for centuries, while in recent decades it has become a significant source of income for women.

Afghan women are particularly well-known for their intricate embroidery and carpet weaving skills. Both skills are passed down within the family from mother to daughter. Traditional patterns, in all their variations, are commonly reproduced from memory and not written down, which means that patterns have been passed from one generation to another.

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