Ancient Azerbaijani art of matting- REPORT

Baku. 21 November. REPORT.AZ/ "There are people who tie a red ribbon to mat baskets and use them as a tray," said Uzura Abbasova, a 69-year-old resident of Shaturba village of Masalli region, Report informs.

Uzura is a participant of the Caspian Ecology 9th Azerbaijan International Environmental Exhibition under the slogan "Change Yourself, Not The Nature!" held in Baku.

Protecting from humidity

The mat is a floor made of rams, straws and fibers of some trees to prevent humidity and moisture.

It is considered the best means of protection from humidity in damp areas. Mats are laid under the carpets in the houses located in damp places in order to protect people from humidity. Our grandparents used it as a fan, refrigerator, cooler, as well as to dry a paddy.

Matting is the folk art mostly peculiar of the southern regions of Azerbaijan. Both women and men weave mats in this region. People living in Astara prefer simple mats, while people from Astara and Lankaran prefer patterned mats.

Peasants, especially women, who go to rushy places in the spring and summer months gather special raw materials called "piza." The peasants weave the mats from the dried "piza" twig by themselves or in a vertical or horizontal machine. Mat remains longer in the home and in a dry place. Such mats will be preserved for 10 years, however this period can be 2 years if the place is damp.

Baskets, hats, bags, handles for earthenware, hangers and other products prepared from the mat are widely used today. Nowadays, mat bags are also used instead of trays in the weddings. There are even people who buy them as gifts, they come and order the shape of the mat baskets. Of course, today many items made of mat are rather decorative and attractive in shape and design. This shows that the art of matting in Azerbaijan is constantly developing and renewing in terms of appearance.

The craftsmen sell their products in the markets of Lankaran, Masalli, Jalilabad. The price of mat items depends on their sizes. The smallest mat baskets cost 2 AZN, while the bigger ones are sold for 7 azn. The small mat carpet is 10 AZN.

"I have always been active and hard-working. A working man never grows old,” Uzura Ababsova said. She also gave advices to young people on how to stay healthy. "Work hard and walk quickly in order to be healthy. If I walk, you cannot reach me."

Notably, according to historical sources, mat was used on the floors of prophet Muhammad's house, in the palace of King V Ferdinand of Spain, in Amir Teymur's tent, in Togakuk, in samurai houses in Japan.