Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Sahel Erfanmanesh ¹
• Abolghasem Nemat Shahrebabaki ²
• Hasan Azizi ³

¹ Assistant Professor of Handicrafts Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

² Assistant Professor of Carpet Department, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

³ Lecture of Carpet Department, Hazrat-e Ma’soumeh University, Qom. Iran.

Abstract

The objects like 'talismans and amulets' (charms) have always been used by humans from the past to the present to remove misfortunes and distress conditions. The Baloch are among those ethnic groups of Iran that still use these talismans. They used symbolic objects and patterns in their daily work to protect themselves against calamities and stay away from misfortunes in life. Considering that handwoven works are among their most important applied and everyday artworks, and given they use many figures of these charms in these works, to know and think about that people, it is necessary to research on these handwoven, this research aims to answer the inspiration of supernatural beliefs in these handwoven works. Therefore, according to the purpose of the research, which is to review the manifestation and representation of supernatural beliefs in the material culture of Baloch nomads by focusing on handwoven artworks, and by using a descriptive-analytical method, library sources, and field observations to collect data, it has been found that the beliefs of this nations have been manifested in their handwoven in forms of plants, geometric, animals and human motifs in daily applied objects. It has also been observed that the frequency of motifs inspired by applied objects is more than other elements. Moreover, the most frequent object was related to the concept of the evil eye (Nazar). It seems that from the past until the present, removing the evil forces, which are mostly pointed to other eyes is of great importance among these people, compared to other misfortunes.

Keywords

• Supernatural Beliefs
• Handwoven Works
• Baloch Nomads
• Evil Eye
• Patterns/Motifs

Main Subjects

• socialhistory and art

 The Manifestation of Supernatural Beliefs in the Handwoven Works of Baloch Nomads

 Introduction

The charms mostly 'talismans and amulets' have frequently been used by people from the past to the present to remove misfortunes and distress conditions. The Baloch tribes as one of the major ethnic groups of Iran still apply these talismans in their daily lives. They have preserved their beliefs for ages due to their lifestyle and mobility, which keeps them away from Sedentism. Considering the significance of these objects, shapes, plants, and animals in their life with a symbolic power to protect them from many troubles and calamities, the figures of these symbolic icons have also been used in many artworks as they consider this power for their icons as well.

Some Baloch tribes consider this symbolic power for animals like snakes, and fishes, and believe that their presence in their life brings prosperity and fertility, so they consider this power for their icons and use them frequently in many artworks as charms or amulets.

Since Baloch nomadic people consider special power for some geometric shapes, they believe to exploit the best power of these charms, they must have a special shape. Burning the seeds of some plants such as Harmel also known as Espand/Esfand (Peganum harmala) has also been common among these tribes from the past for driving away the evil forces, as they also use its seeds for making charms to ward off the bad energies. They also use some other plants like Espand and palm in their daily life and special ceremonies to remove the spell.

Since these objects, plants and animals have a symbolic power for these people, and they believe that these icons protect them against many troubles and calamities, their iconic figures are also used in various artworks to give this power to them.

Given this region as one of the traditional places of weaving art, and considering the significance and history of these handwoven charms and amulets, this research has tried to explain the role of supernatural beliefs in the handwoven artworks of Baluch Tribes; so this study aims to 1. answer the influence of supernatural beliefs on Baluch handwoven artworks, and to 2. investigate the presence and emergence of supernatural beliefs in the material culture of Baluch tribes by focusing on handwoven works.

Research Background: On supernatural beliefs and handwoven works there are some researches such as study by 1. Yaqoubzadeh and Khazaie (2019), in an article entitled “Amulet and Relic Motifs Case Study: Lor Bakhtiari Hand- woven”, 2. In a work by Yaqoubzadeh (2012), entitled “the motif of protective talisman on the Turkmen carpet”, and 3. In a study by Jalilian and Ahmadpanah (2013), entitled “The Impact of Religious Beliefs and Myths on Rural Hand-woven Rugs of Hamadan”. But on subjects related to Sistan and Baluchistan handwoven works, there are some researches such as works by 1. Nemat Sharbabaki, Abolghasem (2014), “Spell check and talisman and its impact on Motifs of carpets Sistan and Baluchestan” and 2. Nemat Sharbabaki, Mirnezhad (2021), “An Analysis of the Patterns of the Spell and Amulet Woven Pendants in Sistan and Baluchestan”, which, rather than providing a comprehensive analysis of motifs, have introduced and described the mere motifs. Since the role of supernatural beliefs in Baluch handwoven works has not yet been dealt based on the literature review of this study, the research in this field is demanding. Considering that the present research targets the role of supernatural beliefs in the daily life of Baluch nomads and investigates its connection with the common motifs in handwoven works, studying the beliefs and culture of this group of people was required.

Research method: This research analyzes handwoven works by adopting a descriptive-analytical approach and collecting data based on the library method and field study survey. According to the common motifs in handwoven works, the motifs were divided into five major groups. Here, it has been tried to introduce one sample from each group and analyze it based on the frequent meanings and common motifs. The research outcome showed that the Baloch people not only created objects and figures to protect them against these calamities but also applied them in their traditional and everyday products such as handwoven works, due to their symbolic meaning and power.

Discussion and Conclusion: By considering the motifs used in these works, it can be said that the beliefs of these people have been represented in their handwoven works, with plant, animal, human and geometric motifs; Moreover, the supernatural and mythological beliefs related to fertility and protection against evil forces are among the major icons used in these handwoven works. It seems that according to the frequency of the symbols related to the evil eye or NAZAR, the iconic motifs which are related to this belief have remained more compared to other motifs. It is always believed that the evil eye and evil forces are among the most destructive factors in life, and the human eye is regarded as the reason for most misfortunes. This study has also shown that there is a close relationship between these beliefs and common motifs used in Baluch's handwoven works.

Keywords: Supernatural Beliefs, Handwoven Works, Baloch Nomads, Evil Eye, Patterns/Motifs.