Fine Oriental rugs and kilims have been produced by nomads and villagers throughout the Middle East and Central Asia for centuries. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word kilim is a Turkish word derived from the Persian killm, meaning a pileless handwoven rug or covering made in Turkey, Kurdistan, Caucasus, Iran and western Turkestan. These flat-woven carpets are created by the weaving of wool threads on an upright wooden loom. Lighter and less expensive than the traditional knotted carpets, kilims are used on the floor too, but they have uses far beyond just that of an area rug. Decorative woven saddlebags, storage sacks, tent hangings, animal trappings and floor or ground covers have traditionally enhanced every important aspect of daily life, and are genuine expressions of tribal culture. The geometric motifs in these antique tribal rugs and weavings evolved directly on the loom. Traditional designs--some religious, talismanic or totemic--were passed from one generation to the next, with each weaver creating subtle variations that reflected her own artistic personality. Textile expert, Marla Mallett, states that, "Middle Eastern nomads and villagers have used a variety of techniques to produce stunning textile art.” Some kilim-weaving techniques are: slit weave tapestry, cicim (pronounded "jajim"), zili, and sumak, each producing a distinctively finished kilim. Turkish kilims feature Mediterranean colors of gold orange and turquoise. Iranian kilims are grounded in burgundy, rust, heavy blues, and heavy greens. Kurdish kilims are brighter and sometimes mixed with embroidery. These textiles are used as rugs to cover doors and windows, for their dwellings, and as prayer rugs. The Kilim is a major part of a bride's dowry. The females of the family weave each rug; each piece would contain symbols of the family tradition and tribal identity. No two hand-woven kilims are exactly the same in color and size, which give the rugs a unique appeal as authentic nomadic artworks.