TRADITIONAL ARTS OF THE ZERAFSHAN VALLEY

The traditional decorate and applied arts are the very remarkable element of the Tajik culture also in the Zerafshan Valley. There is a bright diversity of the arts popular in the Zerafshan Valley:  the wood carving, metal engraving, embroidery, jewellery, carpet weaving, and others.

Details of wall-paintings of the ancient settlements of Penjikent evidence the existence of silk garments and golden and pearl jewellery. Today, it is also very popular among Tajik women the traditional jewellery made out of gold and silver: earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants for braids and scarves, rings with turquoise.
 

Wood is the favourite material of the “kandakori” – wood carving masters. Mulberry tree, plane-tree, poplar, juniper, walnut, were especially valued for production of architectural details (columns, friezes, under-beams, doors, shutters, gates, grating). A wooden idol from the Sardova village, a carved column from the Obburdon village, and a wooden altar from the Iskodar village (Upper Zeravshan) belong to the carving art monuments, which retain signs of Pre-Islamic traditions of fine arts. Also, columns discovered in the Urmetan, Rarz, Fatmev are notable for their ornamental wood carving.
 

Embroidery takes an important place in the textile production. The handcrafters are producing wall rugs, covers, praying rugs, tea-bags, head-dress, camisole, dresses, braids etc. Golden, silver, silk, wool and cotton threads are used in embroidery. The hand-embroidered covers are the most beautiful objects known of the art of needlework. The covers are called ‘suzani’, which means “needle” in Farsi.

Production of carpets is an ancient art and very popular in the mountain areas of the Zerafshan valley. The wool of sheep or goats is being used for carpets making. Today, by visiting of rural villages, you can see women weaving the carpets using the old techniques and still natural colours for dying.