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Nairi Havan learning Marash embroidery from Anahid Kazazian, Armenian Marash embroidery, 2002
Lexington, Massachusetts
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Armenian women have long used a complex embroidery pattern called marash to decorate household textiles like tablecloths, pillows, and comforters. When she was eleven, a broken leg kept Anahid Kazazian out of school for two months. She persuaded her mother to teach her the craft. As she describes, "We refer to it as gaghtnaker or 'secret needlework' because you can't tell how the pattern is made by looking at it - you have to be taught."
Many years later, Anahid had a daughter of her own to teach. Nairi Havan is seen here learning the complex form of embroidery. The pair were awarded a Mass Cultural Council Traditional Arts Apprenticeship in 2001. Anahid Kazazian passed away in 2010.
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