Azerbaijani carpet weaving

Traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving in the Republic of Azerbaijan
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Carpet-weaving Azeri girl from Karabakh
Country	Azerbaijan
Reference	389
Region	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2010 (5th session)

The Azerbaijani carpet is a traditional handmade textile of various sizes, with dense texture and a pile or pile-less surface, whose patterns are characteristic of Azerbaijan’s many carpet-making regions. Carpet making is a family tradition transferred orally and through practice.

In 2010 art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving in Azerbaijan was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Weaving

Men shear sheep in spring and autumn, while women collect dyestuffs and spin and dye yarn in the spring, summer and autumn. The weaving is undertaken during winter by the female members of the extended family, girls learning from their mothers and grandmothers and wives assisting their mothers-in-law. The carpet is made on horizontal or vertical looms using multi-coloured wool, cotton or silk yarn coloured with natural dyes. Applying special techniques to create pile carpets, weavers knot the pile yarn around threads of the warp; pile-less carpets are variously made with interlacing structural warps, wefts, and patterning wefts. The cutting of a finished carpet from the loom is an unusually solemn celebration.

Carpet weaving and community

Carpet weaving is closely connected with the daily life and customs of the communities involved, its role reflected in the meaning of the designs and their applications. Thus, girls seated on carpets tell fortunes and sing traditional songs at Novruz (the regional New Year). The carpet is widely used for home furniture and decoration, and special carpets are woven for medical treatment, for wedding ceremonies, the birth of a child, mourning rituals and prayer.

External links

Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: Azerbaijan

Inscribed in 2008	Mugham

Inscribed in 2009	Azerbaijani Novruz Azerbaijani Ashiq

Inscribed in 2010	Traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving

Inscribed in 2012	Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar

Inscribed in 2013	Chovqan, a traditional Karabakh horse-riding game

Inscribed in 2014	Traditional art and symbolism of Kelaghayi, making and wearing women’s silk headscarves

Inscribed in 2015	Copper craftsmanship of Lahij

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