Qashqai
Qashqai (also spelled Ghashghai, Qashqay, Kashgai and Qashqa'i).Inside_Qashqai_tent.jpg
The Qashqai were originally nomadic pastoralists and some remain so today. The traditional nomadic Qashqai travelled with their flocks each year from the summer highland pastures north of Shiraz roughly 480 km or 300 mi south to the winter pastures on lower (and warmer) lands near the Persian Gulf, to the southwest of Shiraz. The majority, however, have settled, or are partially settled. The trend towards settlement has been increasing markedly since the 1960s.
The Qashqai are made up of a number of tribes and sub-tribes including the Amalah, Darrah Shuri, Kashkuli, Sish Baluki, Farsimadan, Qaracha, Rahimi and Safi Khani.
There are many stories about when the Qashqai people originally moved into their present lands in Fars Province. The earliest definite mention of them there is by Ebn Shahāb Yazdi who mentions a group camped at Gandomān, their yaylāq, or summer quarters, about 160 km southwest of Isfahan in 1415. Most Qashqai speak the Qashqai language, although many speak Persian as well.
Their language shows influences from Luri, Kurdish and Arabic. There are said to be approximately one and a half million Qashgai speakers in Iran.
The Qashqai were a significant political force in Iran during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During World War II the Qahsqais organized resistance against the British occupation forces and received some help from the Germans, once again becoming the major political force in southern Persia. In 1946 there was a major rebellion of a number of tribal confederacies, including the Qashqais, who fought valiantly until the invading Russians were repelled. The last major revolt was in the 1960s, but was soon brutally suppressed.
Most are Shi'a Muslims, although there is a small Christian minority.
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Qashqai carpets and weavings
The Qashqai are noted for their magnificent pile carpets and other woven wool products. The wool produced in the mountains and valleys near Shiraz is exceptionally soft and beautiful and takes a deeper colour than wool from other parts of Iran. Qashqai saddlebags, adorned with colourful geometric designs, are considered to be the finest available.
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References
- Bennett, Ian, ed. 1978. Rugs & Carpets of the World. Quarto Ltd., London. Reprint: Ferndale Editions, 1981. ISBN: 0-905-746-24-4.
- Beck, Lois. 1986. The Qashqa'i of Iran. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 030-00321-2-9
- Hawley, Walter A. 1913. Oriental Rugs: Antique and Modern. Reprint: Dover Publications, New York. 1970. ISBN: 0486223663.
- Kiani, M. 1999. Departing for the Anemone: Art in Gashgai Tribe. Kian nashr Publications, Shiraz. ISBN 964-91200-0-9.(This beautiful book has hundreds of photos, both black and white and coloured, illustrating daily life of the Qashqi people, their rugs and weaving. The text is in Persian but the colour photos also have English captions).
External Links
- [1](An excellent site containing information on the history, woven arts, poetry, society and an extensive bibliography).
- [2] (A good background introduction to Qashqai history and society.)
- [3] A detailed and authoritative entry on this tribe and their history in the Encyclopędia Iranica.