top of page
Group 1.jpg

What are the singing cultures related to
carpet waving in Iran?

THE ROLE OF SINGING CULTURES
AROUND CARPET WEAVING IN IRAN

Anchor 1

The mention of Persian carpets conjures images of realms of colorful woven materials as well as perhaps the materialistic and tangible value they hold.

The Woven Sounds research project, aims to investigate the intangible cultural heritage surrounding the process of carpet weaving in Iran. Just like other types of works songs, such as those sung when fishing, during crop cultivation or during the winnowing of grain, which exist in traditional societies around the world - the singing culture around carpet weaving has evolved and shaped the craftsmanship and artisanship of weaving itself.

The mention of Persian carpets conjures images of realms of colorful woven materials as well as perhaps the materialistic and tangible value they hold.

The Woven Sounds research project, aims to investigate the intangible cultural heritage surrounding the process of carpet weaving in Iran. Just like other types of works songs, such as those sung when fishing, during crop cultivation or during the winnowing of grain, which exist in traditional societies around the world - the singing culture around carpet weaving has evolved and shaped the craftsmanship and artisanship of weaving itself.

Anchor 2

Carpet weaving in Iran, which has formed throughout history synergic exchanges between labor and artistic creation, has developed its own unique style of work melodies intertwined with the weaving process. Despite the widespread culture and variety of traditions in carpet weaving across Iran, no studies on the intangible cultural heritage around carpet weaving could be found. Many of these traditions, along with the accompanying craftsmanship, are vanishing rapidly, which in turn has highlighted the urgency of conducting the present research.
The Woven Sounds research project, aims to investigate the intangible cultural heritage surrounding the process of carpet weaving in Iran.

​

The specific research focus is on the musical cultures relating to this topic. In particular, I will analyse the development, distribution, structure and practice of a phenomenon addressed in my present research as Naqshe-Khani (Pattern Singing) and its effects on carpet weavers and the process of carpet weaving itself. After an intensive research, I found scarcity of research on the intangible cultural heritage around the process of carpet weaving, despite the widespread culture and the variety of traditions across Iran.

​

Many of these intangible traditions are rapidly vanishing today along with the accompanying craftsmanship. In my project, I focus on elaborating on the historical development of carpet weaving in Iran, the emergence of Naqshe-Khani, the process of implementing it and the scale of the practice today in 4 provinces in Iran. 

 

This project draws on the preliminary results of series of fieldwork trips carried out between 2017 and 2022 in Esfahan, Fars and Kerman and Bakhtiari provinces.

Anchor 5

WOVEN SOUNDS PERFORMANCE

"The Woven Sounds music project is inspired by the intangible cultural heritage surrounding carpet weaving in Iran. It represents a natural symbiosis of research, film, and music performance. The creation process felt like returning home... This was made possible by Michael Dreyer who shared the initial idea, the great team of Morgenland Festival Osnabrück, and by Ioana Aminian's essential support. Woven Sounds evolved through constant artistic dialogue with the weaver/singer Maryam Abtahi who sang for the first time in public and on stage, and all the other musicians. This project is dedicated to all the overshadowed and invisible women and their struggles in my country..."

~Mehdi Aminian

​

This concert is a tribute to Iran's Weaving Heritage and is based on the documentary "Woven Sounds" by Mehdi Aminian who invited Maryam Abtahi to perform for the first time in her life in public. Live at Morgenland Festival Osnabrück, Germany 2023. 

​

Maryam Sadat Abtahi – vocals & weaving

Åžirin PancaroÄŸlu – harp

Tohid Vahid – kamanche, setar

Joss Turnbull – percussion

Mehdi Aminian – ney, setar, concept & musical direction

WOVEN SOUNDS PERFORMANCE

csm_Ghir_77e9791800 1.jpg

​
Roots Revival respects your right to an uninterrupted experience.
However, we count on your kind support and donations to make
this project possible in the long term.

PayPal ButtonPayPal Button
Anchor 3
Group 23(1).png

About the autor

Mehdi Aminian is currently an employee at VLACH Commission and he is carrying out his PhD at the University of Vienna

(supervisors: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thede Kahl, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Julio César Mendivil, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tiago de Oliveira Pinto).

355481229_10160894209296382_686916514428001689_n.jpg
Anchor 4
tr-central-anatolia-region 2.jpg

Contribute to our project

Roots Revival is built on community input support and donations to make this series possible in the long term.

PayPal ButtonPayPal Button
2-sin-fondo.png


Roots Revival - Verein zur Förderung des musikalischen Welterbes

ZVR-Zahl: 1963335889

Vienna

 

Subtract.png
Subtract(1).png
bottom of page