Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Carpet Department, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Art, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Hazrat Masoumeh University, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
Belief in supernatural entities and protective talismans has historically shaped traditional cultures, particularly among nomadic communities, to address existential fears and threats. The Al-Bavari motif in Bakhtiari nomadic handmade serves as a ritual symbol to counter the mythical entity "Al," a perceived threat to postpartum women and newborns. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method to explore the ritualistic function of the Al-belief motif in Bakhtiari textiles and trace its historical roots, adopting Howard Morphy’s perspective, which views art as a social act that reproduces cultural and spiritual identity. Data were collected through library research, field observations, and analysis of 10 handwoven samples (including rugs, salt bags, bedding covers, and saddlebags). Findings indicate that the Al-Bavari motif, characterized by single- or double-horned triangular patterns, acts as a protective talisman against "Al" while embodying Bakhtiari intangible cultural heritage. Integrated with rituals such as placing iron knives, drawing Maryam’s line, or using garlic and wolf-related talismans, the motif ensures physical and psychological security for postpartum women. Historically, it aligns with Elamite fertility symbols, its transformation into a protective talisman reflecting the Bakhtiari’s adaptation to nomadic life. The Al-Bavari motif exemplifies the interplay of art, belief, and daily life. Female weavers, as cultural agents, preserve ethnic identity and transmit spiritual knowledge across generations through this motif. This study emphasizes the need to safeguard these handmade as cultural heritage and recommends comparative analyses of the motif among other Iranian ethnic groups.
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