Kazakh Wall Hangings (Tuzkeez)

Thank you for looking at our wall-hangings! Tuzkeez means “wall hanging” in Kazakh, and has various spellings. These wall hangings are made by women nomads of the remote, predominately Kazakh area of Western Mongolia and beyond. The meticulous craftsmanship and beautiful design of the laborious wall hangings are proudly displayed in homes throughout the region. They are traditionally made to honor a birth, marriage, or another special life event. Some of of them are dated and inscribed or signed in Kazakh. Tuzkeez are usually unfinished on the bottom and placed behind beds or other furniture lining the walls of their gers (yurts) and cabins.

Most tuzkeez are non-representational art, keeping with the dictates of the Koran. During Communist times, they often used flowers and or stars in their patterns. The Kazakhs are known for their use of dazzling patterns and vivid colors.

The border of the wall hangings is made on a treadle sewing machine. The inside pattern is sewn by hand. It takes over 100 hours to make one wall-hanging. Most women will only make 3-6 in a lifetime. The making of wall hangings is a dying art-form, as younger women are less interested in learning how to make tuzkeez and the older women are slowly passing on. The wall hangings that remain are becoming rarer.

To purchase a wall hanging, please call or email us and provide the TZ number.