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Gelmets, Dagestan, 2016.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter X: Traditions, crafts and culture
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Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter X: Traditions, crafts and culture
……………………………………The material and especially the immaterial cultures are those aspects where usually the greatest differences are observed. They are directly related to religious traditions, which are poles apart in Switzerland and the Caucasus. But one can still find interesting parallels in this field as well.
The material and especially the immaterial cultures are those aspects where usually the greatest differences are observed. They are directly related to religious traditions, which are poles apart in Switzerland and the Caucasus. But one can still find interesting parallels in this field as well.
CARPET MAKING
AND LACE
AND LACE
The Caucasus
Carpetmaking is quite widespread in the Caucasus. There were women weaving carpets in almost every family until the late Soviet times; in many homes, these carpets still lie on the floor.
Lezgian sumakhs, lint-free carpets, have become particularly famous. Ramiz, the former director of the Qusarin factory, organized with a colleague a private production of pile carpets (they are more in demand nowadays). He is in charge of selling products, so most of the rooms in his house are covered with piles of rugs in various sizes and patterns.
CARPET MAKING AND LACE
the Caucasus
Carpetmaking is quite widespread in the Caucasus. There were women weaving carpets in almost every family until the late Soviet times; in many homes, these carpets still lie on the floor.
Lezgian sumakhs, lint-free carpets, have become particularly famous. Ramiz, the former director of the Qusarin factory, organized with a colleague a private production of pile carpets (they are more in demand nowadays). He is in charge of selling products, so most of the rooms in his house are covered with piles of rugs in various sizes and patterns.
The city of Cuba (Guba), Azerbaijan, 2016.
The city of Cuba (Guba), Azerbaijan, 2016.
The carpets are woven from Australian yarn (there is no domestic yarn of suitable quality) on old Soviet machines. In order to create ornaments, craftswomen use charts from the book of the Azerbaijani artist, art critic and carpet weaver Latif Kerimov, the founder of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
The carpets are woven from Australian yarn (there is no domestic yarn of suitable quality) on old Soviet machines. In order to create ornaments, craftswomen use charts from the book of the Azerbaijani artist, art critic and carpet weaver Latif Kerimov, the founder of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
Latif Kerimov. Azerbaijani carpet.
Book 1. Baku-Leningrad. 1961
Latif Kerimov. Azerbaijani carpet. Book 1. Baku-Leningrad. 1961
Modern carpet production is organized in the Shabran district. An Azerbaijani woman who used to work in a local carpet factory runs the workshop. She has about thirty-five women working under her, mostly Tat and Azerbaijani women. Previously, the number of workers reached two hundred.
Shabran district, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Modern carpet production is organized in the Shabran district. An Azerbaijani woman who used to work in a local carpet factory runs the workshop. She has about thirty-five women working under her, mostly Tat and Azerbaijani women. Previously, the number of workers reached two hundred.
Shabran district, Azerbaijan, 2016.
A large carpet (2.5 by 3.5 meters) is woven by a team of seven or eight people. They work 11 hours a day with breaks for lunch and tea. Work on the carpet lasts on average 2.5 months, payment is made after production (the longer you work, the later you get paid). Having woven the carpet, the workers rest for two weeks. Small carpets are usually made at home. The carpets are dried outdoors after washing: handmade patterns lie next to modern factory goods.
A large carpet (2.5 by 3.5 meters) is woven by a team of seven or eight people. They work 11 hours a day with breaks for lunch and tea. Work on the carpet lasts on average 2.5 months, payment is made after production (the longer you work, the later you get paid). Having woven the carpet, the workers rest for two weeks. Small carpets are usually made at home. The carpets are dried outdoors after washing: handmade patterns lie next to modern factory goods.
Gelmets village, Dagestan, 2016.
Gelmets village, Dagestan, 2016.
the ALPS
Appenzell was once famous for lace and hand embroidery. Appenzell bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, collars were considered a very expensive dowry.
Today there are almost no craftswomen, but their legacy has been preserved. "Industrial" patterns made in their image are sold in the local stores. The originals can be found at the Appenzell Museum.
the ALPS
Appenzell was once famous for lace and hand embroidery. Appenzell bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, collars were considered a very expensive dowry.
Today there are almost no craftswomen, but their legacy has been preserved. "Industrial" patterns made in their image are sold in the local stores. The originals can be found at the Appenzell Museum.
WOOD CUTTING AND PAINTING
WOOD CUTTING AND PAINTING
the ALPS
the ALPS
One of the most common crafts in Switzerland, which can be seen in the streets, is the wooden sculpture. There are a lot of sculptures in Grisons, but similar examples can be seen in other cantons.
One of the most common crafts in Switzerland, which can be seen in the streets, is the wooden sculpture. There are a lot of sculptures in Grisons, but similar examples can be seen in other cantons.
Juf, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Juf, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Albinen, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Juf, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
Albinen, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021
APPENZELL PAINTINGS
Appenzell is known for naive and wood painting: not only the walls and facades of the houses in the village are painted, but also furniture and interiors as well, and in the local museum there are many art pieces made by local artists in a similar style. The color scheme and ornaments, by the way, often resemble Russian traditional pictorial art.
APPENZELL PAINTINGS
Appenzell is known for naive and wood painting: not only the walls and facades of the houses in the village are painted, but also furniture and interiors as well, and in the local museum there are many art pieces made by local artists in a similar style. The color scheme and ornaments, by the way, often resemble Russian traditional pictorial art.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Elvina Ryazanova
Art Historian, Social anthropologist, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Junior research scientist of the N. N. Miklukho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The house fronts in Appenzell are decorated with simple ornaments in bright colors. The pivotal pattern is medicinal herbs found in the Alpine mountains and meadows. They are drawn in a simple and schematic version. Such stylized designs can also be found in the paintings of local masters.
The house fronts in Appenzell are decorated with simple ornaments in bright colors. The pivotal pattern is medicinal herbs found in the Alpine mountains and meadows. They are drawn in a simple and schematic version. Such stylized designs can also be found in the paintings of local masters.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Similar motifs (simplified forms of daisies or cornflowers) were common in the Caucasus. However, such forms were often carved from stone and used as decoration in architecture there.
Similar motifs (simplified forms of daisies or cornflowers) were common in the Caucasus. However, such forms were often carved from stone and used as decoration in architecture there.
SPORTS AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
SPORTS AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
the CAUCASUS
Sport is an important part of Dagestan culture. Here in many villages, there are wrestling or martial arts sections: almost all boys go to wrestling for a year or two. Only those who are focused on sports results continue to attend the sections.
the CAUCASUS
Sport is an important part of Dagestan culture. Here in many villages, there are wrestling or martial arts sections: almost all boys go to wrestling for a year or two. Only those who are focused on sports results continue to attend the sections.
Girls also play sports, however, only before marriage. Then, some say, the husband will not allow it.
Girls also play sports, however, only before marriage. Then, some say, the husband will not allow it.
Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
Akhty village, Dagestan, 2016.
the ALPS
Hiking, and long walks in the mountains are the main sport and leisure for the Swiss. So, an excellent infrastructure has been created: starting from ubiquitous footpath signs for pedestrians and cyclists ending up with public huts designed for hikers in the mountains.
One can stay there for free. Usually, there is a stove and a place where you can put a sleeping bag. In the places that are close to civilization, there are even restaurants and bars.
the ALPS
Hiking, and long walks in the mountains are the main sport and leisure for the Swiss. So, an excellent infrastructure has been created: starting from ubiquitous footpath signs for pedestrians and cyclists ending up with public huts designed for hikers in the mountains.
One can stay there for free. Usually, there is a stove and a place where you can put a sleeping bag. In the places that are close to civilization, there are even restaurants and bars.
Footpath signs in the village of Albinen, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
A hut for hikers in the area of the Grande Dixence dam, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Andermatt, Canton of Uri Switzerland, 2021.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
Patricia from Saviese, together with her husband, combines hiking with gathering every spring: they go high into the mountains to collect herbs (arnica, masterwort, St. John’s wort, lavender). She is a nurse and a few years ago learned from a local healer how to make herbal extracts and ointments from them. She became interested in it when her granddaughter was born — she wanted to find a medicine that would not be harmful to the baby and at the same time help her heal the sores and bruises she was constantly getting.
The Alps
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
The Alps
Patricia from Saviese, together with her husband, combines hiking with gathering every spring: they go high into the mountains to collect herbs (arnica, masterwort, St. John’s wort, lavender). She is a nurse and a few years ago learned from a local healer how to make herbal extracts and ointments from them. She became interested in it when her granddaughter was born — she wanted to find a medicine that would not be harmful to the baby and at the same time help her heal the sores and bruises she was constantly getting.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
CEMETERIES AND
FUNERAL TRADITIONS
FUNERAL TRADITIONS
CEMETERIES AND FUNERAL TRADITIONS
the Caucasus
There is a cemetery near every village in the Caucasus. Old stone tombstones decorated with carvings are typical for Dagestan.
Inscriptions on monuments usually contain the name of the deceased, the date of his death according to the hijra (Islamic calendar), more rarely the date of birth, and an epitaph (quotation from the Koran) in Arabic. They are visible proof of the Islamization of the region that has been going on for a long time (since the VIII century), which had a great influence on the burial and commemoration ceremonies.
the Caucasus
There is a cemetery near every village in the Caucasus. Old stone tombstones decorated with carvings are typical for Dagestan.
Inscriptions on monuments usually contain the name of the deceased, the date of his death according to the hijra (Islamic calendar), more rarely the date of birth, and an epitaph (quotation from the Koran) in Arabic. They are visible proof of the Islamization of the region that has been going on for a long time (since the VIII century), which had a great influence on the burial and commemoration ceremonies.
Suleiman-Stalsky district, Dagestan, 2016.
Suleiman-Stalsky district, Dagestan, 2016.
In the center of the cemetery, you can see a cone-shaped holy place, a pir.
In the center of the cemetery, you can see a cone-shaped holy place, a pir.
Khveredzh village, Dagestan, 2016.
Kurakhsky district, Dagestan, 2016.
Khveredzh village, Dagestan, 2016.
Kurakhsky district, Dagestan, 2016.
the ALPS
The cemeteries in Switzerland are usually located on the outskirts of settlements. Since many elderly people prefer this country for emigration, many famous people are buried here. This is a landmark of the country for necrotourism — visiting the graves of famous people.
Cemeteries in the mountains, in small villages, are surprisingly modest in size — and not only because there are few people here in general. Because of the limited space, the places in the cemetery are "given" for 25 years, and after that time the land is given to another deceased unless the family pays a fairly decent amount to continue using the space. The tombstones in the cemeteries of the different cantons correspond to the specifics of the local architecture: They are made of wood, granite, marble, and other materials.
the ALPS
The cemeteries in Switzerland are usually located on the outskirts of settlements. Since many elderly people prefer this country for emigration, many famous people are buried here. This is a landmark of the country for necrotourism — visiting the graves of famous people.
Cemeteries in the mountains, in small villages, are surprisingly modest in size — and not only because there are few people here in general. Because of the limited space, the places in the cemetery are "given" for 25 years, and after that time the land is given to another deceased unless the family pays a fairly decent amount to continue using the space. The tombstones in the cemeteries of the different cantons correspond to the specifics of the local architecture: They are made of wood, granite, marble, and other materials.
Corippo, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, 2021.
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Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
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Andermatt, Canton of Uri, Switzerland, 2021.
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Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
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Albinen, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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MUSEUMS AND LOCAL HISTORY
MUSEUMS AND LOCAL HISTORY
The Akhty local history museum
The Caucasus
The inhabitants of the mountain regions are actively interested in the history and traditions of their culture. As a rule, even in small settlements, local studies are well developed and museums are often established — both private and municipal.
The Akhty local history museum
The Caucasus
The inhabitants of the mountain regions are actively interested in the history and traditions of their culture. As a rule, even in small settlements, local studies are well developed and museums are often established — both private and municipal.
Akhty, Dagestan, 2016.
The Akhty local history museum grew out of a school museum. Today, its collection includes more than 12,000 exhibits. In 1937, it was moved from the school to the mosque building. After the mosque was transferred to religious people, the museum moved to a building that formerly belonged to the district party committee.
The Akhty local history museum grew out of a school museum. Today, its collection includes more than 12,000 exhibits. In 1937, it was moved from the school to the mosque building. After the mosque was transferred to religious people, the museum moved to a building that formerly belonged to the district party committee.
APPENZELL MUSEUM
The Alps
One of the best museums of local history and ethnology in Switzerland is located in Appenzell, right in the town hall, in a house that is remarkable in itself — wooden stairs, narrow corridors and small windows. The museum contains works of local art (sculptures, drawings, paintings), household items, games, costumes, coins, lace, and even torture instruments.
APPENZELL MUSEUM
The Alps
One of the best museums of local history and ethnology in Switzerland is located in Appenzell, right in the town hall, in a house that is remarkable in itself — wooden stairs, narrow corridors and small windows. The museum contains works of local art (sculptures, drawings, paintings), household items, games, costumes, coins, lace, and even torture instruments.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
A whole workshop of a local blacksmith was kept in the same museum. He had no one to bequeath his tools, so he donated everything to the museum.
A whole workshop of a local blacksmith was kept in the same museum. He had no one to bequeath his tools, so he donated everything to the museum.
Appenzell, canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland, 2021.
Our observations have come to an end. During the expeditions to Switzerland and the Caucasus, we were really impressed by the similarities (and sometimes differences) in the way of life, landscapes, architecture, and traditions. We hope that we succeeded in sharing these impressions with you and introducing you to the amazing inhabitants of the mountains and engaging you in shared contemplation.
Our observations have come to an end. During the expeditions to Switzerland and the Caucasus, we were really impressed by the similarities (and sometimes differences) in the way of life, landscapes, architecture, and traditions. We hope that we succeeded in sharing these impressions with you and introducing you to the amazing inhabitants of the mountains and engaging you in shared contemplation.
We will continue this series to tell you about other mountain peoples and their traditions. You can also view other material from Switzerland and learn more about the life of a cheesemaker in Andeer and the battles of cow queens in Martigny in the blog section.
We will continue this series to tell you about other mountain peoples and their traditions. You can also view other material from Switzerland and learn more about the life of a cheesemaker in Andeer and the battles of cow queens in Martigny in the blog section.
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Anthropogeos. 2021
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