Book “Kelaghayi” presented

Abook "Kelaghayi", a joint work of the Culture and Tourism Ministry and Azerbaijan's Carpet Museum, was presented in Baku.

Kelaghayi is a traditional Azerbaijani women's headgear. A fourcornered shawl is woven from floss thread and worn by the Azerbaijani woven.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Sevda Mammadaliyeva, Museum's director Shirin Melikova and Chairman of Azerbaijan Union of Artists Farhad Khalilov addressed the event and stressed the importance of the publication.

The speakers noted that the silk scarf Kelaghayi, its production and the wearing style, was included in the UNESCO's List of Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2014.

The book's authors are Professor Rena Ibrahimbekhova, member of Azerbaijan's Union of Artists Jalil Tariverdiev and graduate of the Parsons School of Design (New York, USA) Zahra Mueller Tariverdi.

The publication includes a systematic catalogue of different Kelaghayi forms and ornaments.

Besides being a symbol of chastity, respect and devotion, it also preserves the ancient history, culture and traditions of Land of Fires – Azerbaijan.

The main figure used in kelaghayi is buta, a twisted teardrop that has been a symbol of the divine fire, which has been worshipped in Azerbaijan since ancient times.

Kelagayis differ from each other in terms of their color tints and sizes and social status. Unmarried girls cover their heads with kelaghayis of bright colors, such as yellow, pink, gold or purple, while dark colored kelaghayis are for older women.

Nowadays kelaghayis are manufactured in Basqal, a picturesque village near Shamakhi, and in Sheki.