Suzanis are large embroidered textile panels typically created as part of a woman’s dowry among tribes in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkestan. They are used as wall hangings, bed covers, and decorative domestic textiles. Traditionally, a woman will start embroidering a suzani soon after the birth of her daughter, and, typically, once the daughter

is between the ages of four and six she will begin learning different embroidery stitches by copying her mother as they work on a suzani together with other women in their community.

To start a suzani, strips of fabric, traditionally made of a handwoven cotton plain weave, are joined together and cut to the desired length. A pattern is then drawn on the joined strips by čizmakaš, or master craftswomen who specialize in drawing these designs onto the ground fabric. The strips are then taken apart and embroidered individually by different women at the same time before being joined together again. Many common motifs featured in suzanis, especially botanical designs and other natural elements, such as trees, flowers, and birds, are believed to come from regional folklore traditions. The images often symbolize the sustenance of the earth and fertility, and therefore also reflect themes of matrimony, family, and community development.