The buria predates the carpet. Before wool was knotted and dyed, Afghan families were weaving reed mats from plants that grew wild along rivers like the Helmand and the Amu. Simple, durable, and free to make — it is one of the oldest crafts still practiced in Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan has a long tradition of building for the climate. From the underground channels of the karez irrigation system to the wind-catching towers of Sistan, Afghans have always found practical ways to deal with extreme heat without modern machinery. One of the most inventive examples is the Helmandi cooler — a low-cost evaporative cooler that has been keeping homes cool across Afghanistan for generations, no grid power required.
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