Стр. 56 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

56
Zangazur district is bordered by Karabakh to the east,
by Nakhchivan to the west and by Araz to the south.
Although a part of Zangazur was given to Armenia
in 1920, it always had strong ties with Karabakh. The
folklore and culture of this area are very close to that
of Karabakh, Nakhchivan, and Goyche. Zangazur was
a main road and bridge between Tabriz and Iravan, as
seen in its ancient monuments, prolific ram stones, and
tombs. The colorful natural ground cover is connected
to Zangazur’s geographic location near the Lesser Cau-
casus Mountains. Its districts were well known for their
mines and minerals.
At the crossroads of Zangazur Mountain and Araz,
Mehri, which was situated at the east of Zangazur, was
noted for its assorted gardens and delicious fruits. The
breezes coming from the other side of Araz softened
Zangazur’s typically harsh climate and this mild air was
the source of productive orchards. Ample and colorful
plant cover and endless
pastures created pro-
ductive conditions for
carpet weaving also.
The mixture of air, water, and plants provided a thou-
sand shades of color. The wealth of plants, animals and
mineral resources made the development of dyeing inevi-
table. Traditional dyeing technology was improved with
centuries of experience by professional dyers and assisted
the carpet weavers in creating unparalleled harmony by
using and coordinating different shades of colors.
The Sisyan region was renowned for its historical monu-
ments and ancient graveyards. Its geographical position
contributed to the development of cattle breeding and
plants gathered from mountainous and hillside areas
played a part in making natural dyes. As a result, carpet
weaving was developed. The carpets woven here were
unusual in their compositional structures and semantics
of images that were based on ancient worldviews. Similar
situations were found in the carpets woven in Gafan and
Gorus. In general, as a residential district of Azerbaijanis,
Zangazur had its own developmental path in
Azerbaijan’s history. Local people here main-
tained Azerbaijani cultural values and tradi-
tions in their daily lives.
Zangazur’s carpet masters produced works
that were different from those of other districts.
The carpet traditions of Zangazur province are
closest to Karabakh traditions. This was because
Zangazur had cultural and economic relations
with the Karabakh Khanate and the people liv-
ing there. It is impossible to separate Karabakh
from Zangazur in terms of cultural and social
matters. Zangazur borders Nakhchivan, southern Azerbaijan, and Karabakh, and these
districts had an obvious impact on its folklore and applied art. Different mythological
and zoomorphic elements as well as geometric symbols were used in legends, sto-
ries, and images on rocks. Mythological images like Ujubilikh, Tekgoz, Div, Gara-
jukha, Virgin, Albasti, and Kaftarkush were reflected in the folklore and applied
art of this district. Depictions of Ag Yol and Gara Yol (White Road and Black Road)
gods, which used to be worshipped by Azerbaijanis living here, were depicted on
carpets. In addition, a Khizir image was adorned by complex geometric elements
believed to dole out fate and give life.
Zangazur province