Patterns of the Kirghiz, even today, are very similar to those revealed after more than two thousand years of burial at Pazyryk. Over the millennia, nomadic tribal groups and settled populations have evolved and perfected a variety of methods of weaving on a tensioned warp, finger manipulation of yarns, or the use of tablets and hooks or needles to construct a fabric spun yarn. The earliest evidence of the knowledge of spinning fleece and vegetable fibres has been found in the civilisation of Mesopotamia, and these skills gradually spread through Central Asia with the movement of Neolithic peoples along the Asian land-routes. The skill of weaving is not only a respected but also a valuable asset among the Central Asian tribes and woven rugs are an insurance against hard times, such as periods of drought when the rugs and other weavings can be sold in the bazaar. These virgin carpets are considered a family's most treasured possession and their sale would be very much a last resort.
Pieces woven to perform the same function often have different names in different areas.
The bags have specific uses. A nomad's greatest asset are his animals and they are treated accordingly. Many items of harness and animal trapping are woven including decorative flank covers for the camel which can later, also be hung over a tent door. During the late 19th century onwards, the Central Asian market became flooded with cheaper cotton materials from the Russian factories, so causing near-redundancy among the local weavers. Early in the 20th century when the powerful Khanates of Central Asia fell into the hands of the Bolsheviks, the production of luxury textiles which had flourished since the time of Timur, came to an abrupt halt.