Introduction 1. Textiles and Symbols: A Mélange of Cultural Signifiers Kanga: Cloth with a message Lion of Persia: From pre-Islamic to contemporary Iran Felt and fabrics under domination: Central Asia Ram's horn: Central Asia and Iran 2. Talismanic Textiles: Gender, Status, and the Supernatural Protecting fiber and livelihood: The Ladakh Blessed looms, blessed fibers Sacred colors: Red, white, and light blue Beyond the loom Amulets: Protection against the unseen Inscribed talismanic shirts Gendered looms 3. The Politicization of Textiles: Colonialism to the Present India and cotton: rejecting colonial rule United we stand: India's Muslim weavers West African wax cloth Calico: The forbidden African cotton Indian cloth in Southeast Asia Keffiyeh: From functional to symbolic The effect of Russian colonization on Central Asian politics Tajikistan: Textiles and national branding Soviet symbols on woven carpets 4. Refugees and Displaced Persons: Textile Signatures The Siddis of India Afghan refugee women: Embroidered lives Weaving and war: Carpets depicting a nation under siege Iraqi refugees: Textile arts of the past Syrian and Iraqi refugees: Embroidered quilts and the charuga Syrian refugees: The Ana collection Weaving timeless symbols: War's impact on non-Muslim communities 5. Textiles and Death Rituals in Islamicate Societies The burial garment for Muslims: The kafan Piecing together the past Tomb covers for the Prophet Muhammed: Kiswah Tomb covers: Signifiers or status Indian and South Asian tomb covers Egyptian funeral tents: The art of Khayamiya Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index.