The Baloch people consist of numerous semi-nomadic tribes who have been engaged in animal husbandry and carpet weaving in various parts of Khorasan Province, as well as Sistan and Baluchestan Province, and even Gonbad-e Kavus for centuries.
For a long time, enthusiasts have regarded Baloch tribal rugs as valuable commodities. These rugs are produced in the border region, known as Baluchestan on the map of Asia, an area part of which is in Iran and the other part in Pakistan. However, Baloch rugs are not only woven in Iranian or Pakistani Baluchestan but are also crafted by Baloch tribes in northern Khorasan, especially around Torbat Heydarieh, Kashmar, Sarakhs, Torbat-e Sheikh Jam, and Neyshabur.
A few are also woven in more southern regions, such as Sistan. Unfortunately, at present, Baloch carpet weaving has significantly declined, limited to weavers residing in some villages of Central and Southern Khorasan.
Geographical Position of the Baloch People
The Baloch are a distinct ethnic group with Iranian origins, comprising one of the largest Iranian tribes, predominantly residing in the southeastern region of the country, in the vast province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Among the eastern Iranian ethnic groups are the Baloch, who inhabit Baluchestan. The widespread dispersion of the Baloch people is such that they can be found in Iran, Pakistan, and certain parts of Afghanistan. Ethnically, they have both Indian and Iranian roots.
The original tribes of Khorasan engaged in the profession of carpet weaving and considered among the ancient Baloch include:
- Bahlooli
- Baizidi
- Kalehdarazi
- Janmirzai
- Rahimkhani
- Barahui
- Kurkheili
- Hassanzai
- Janbegi
Most of the tribes and nomads involved in carpet weaving are settled around Torbat Heydarieh.
Baloch carpets are known for their vibrant colors, including
- Peacock blue for various shades of blue
- Ronas for red and crimson hues
- Walnut skin for camel shades
- Willow tree leaf for yellow and green
- Willow tree and peacock blue-orange for other variations
- Henna for additional colors used in Baloch rugs
Baloch dyers typically use white wool for fixing colors and black wool for creating black shades, often dyeing it with a type of mineral rock containing iron, known locally as "mik minamand," to achieve the black color. Nowadays, synthetic red dyes are commonly used, and henna is employed for orange hues. Additionally, henna is utilized as one of the components for creating brown shades.
Dark hues characterize Baloch carpets, with shades of deep red, muted blue, and black being prominent. Black is commonly used for main pattern lines, while green or camel colors are used for smaller motifs, and white is extensively employed for narrower borders.
The predominant color in many Baloch carpets is a muted blue. Black is typically used for main pattern lines, enhancing the depth of red and muted blue hues. White is often used in narrower borders.
In recent years, the use of camel color in Baloch carpets has increased. Perhaps the reason for this is the rising cost of dyeing with peacock blue and ronas. To achieve a vibrant camel color, this hue is combined with red and black dyes.
Typically, white wool is used to fix the colors. The colors of Baloch carpets from Sistan are brighter than those of the Baloch from northern Khorasan, with the main color or background being a bright red or camel brown.
The influence of Turkmen culture is evident in various aspects of Baloch carpets, including the use of oak and dark red colors, dark blue hues, and the implementation of geometric and regular patterns such as hexagonal, rhomboid, octagonal, and lattice motifs. Additionally, traces of Persian civilization can be observed in some of the nature-inspired patterns seen in the main body and borders of these carpets.
Weaving Techniques:
Baloch carpets are traditionally woven using horizontal or ground looms. However, vertical looms have also been utilized recently. In the past, they used black wool for warp and weft, but nowadays, yarn is commonly used for this purpose. Although the oldest Baloch carpets featured double wefts and Persian knots with an all-wool pile, nowadays, a single weft, known as "podnazak," is considered one of the most significant characteristics of Baloch carpets. The knot used in this region is asymmetric (Persian). Baloch carpet kilims are relatively long. Shiraz knots are mainly made with twisted goat hair and are mostly black or dark brown, although in newer and modern weaves, the use of wool instead of goat hair has gradually increased. Decorative elements such as horn, shell, and bead are used in the embellishment of Shiraz knots, kilims, and carpet fringes. Additionally, the knot count used in Baloch carpets ranges from 25 to 40 knots per square inch.
Another characteristic of Baloch carpets is the use of goat hair alongside wool in the pile. However, in newer weaves, wool has replaced goat hair. Another feature is the use of woolen wefts in older weaves, which has been one of the important characteristics of Baloch carpets, but unfortunately, in recent years, the use of cotton thread has somewhat diminished the original authenticity of these weaves. Additionally, the carpet warp is horizontal.
Baloch Carpet Designs
One of the unique characteristics of Baloch carpet designs is the repetition of a single motif throughout the carpet. In fact, in most designs, distinct motifs are repeated in a regular and interconnected manner across the carpet, with the central motifs and borders being related to each other. Baloch designs are geometric and do not utilize curved lines, although they may incorporate curved motifs by using short straight lines in their patterns. Three main characteristics of Baloch carpet designs and patterns are network-like structure, floral motifs, and repetitiveness. The width of the borders in Baloch designs is relatively wide, and typically, there are more than three borders.
Baloch carpet patterns are broken and geometric, such as rhomboid and hexagonal motifs, but the most commonly seen motif is a tree motif with a long stem in the center of the field, with horizontal branches extending from its sides and ending in leaves. Additionally, Herati broken motifs are sometimes noticeable in Baloch carpets.
Borders
Primarily in the main and secondary field areas of Baloch carpets from Khorasan, geometric and botanical motifs of willow leaves are woven. Some of these motifs include:
- Kojaveh: A linear broken motif with a regular arrangement resembling waves.
- Kaleh: A motif resembling a camel's hump.
- Taviz: A motif resembling a ram's horn.
- Medakhel: A common motif seen in many Baloch carpets.
Baloch carpets are scattered across most cities and villages in Khorasan, and it seems that Baloch carpet weaving is heavily influenced by the Turkmen style. Although Turkmen influence has facilitated the weaving and spread of pile carpets among the Baloch, this has not always been accompanied by significant assimilation over time, as the Baloch have been inclined to preserve the customs and traditions of their original land.
Common Patterns in Baloch Carpets
Baloch carpets are often woven in geometric styles, and their patterns are heavily influenced by other ethnic groups such as the Turkmen, Afsharis, and even Afghans.
So much so that in writings and books about Eastern carpets, Baloch weavers are sometimes referred to as imitators, but in any case, the woven patterns have taken on a local and ethnic atmosphere of their own.
The main Baloch patterns are as follows:
- Tree of Life Pattern: This pattern is only seen in Baloch prayer rugs. On both sides of the mihrab, inscriptions with Quranic verses or Shahadatayn (Islamic declaration of faith) are sometimes visible. The central motif is a sturdy Tree of Life from which lush branches sprout.
- Peacock Pattern: In this pattern, the entire background is filled with a bird called a peacock. The bird is woven in a continuous, serpentine manner in diagonal rows, filling the entire background.
- Universal Bush Pattern: The bush in Baloch patterns has a specific shape. Its surroundings are serrated, and the trunk is firmly placed on a pedestal.
- Minakhani Pattern: This pattern consists of long, three-brick pillars. Other patterns include cow and stone tower, Chouli flower, Shafatalu, Fateh Ahlallah Khan, Ya'qub Khan, Mudd Khan, etc.
Coloring is the best way to identify an old Baloch carpet. Baloch weavers tend to prefer dark colors, which is perhaps why these types of carpets are sometimes called "Siyahkar" in the market. The main colors used in Baloch carpets are primarily blue, red, brown, black, and their tonal variations.
One of the notable patterns in Baloch carpets that are recognized worldwide is the prayer rug, which is a reflection of the mihrab. Its most common fundamental motif is a tree with branching limbs on either side of the main axis, typically horizontal, with a geometric motif resembling a leaf branching off along the path of each branch or at its end. This leaf-like motif is called "Bid" or "Taki" motif, and as its name suggests, it is derived from the leaf of the willow tree.
The Mihrab pattern is one of the most famous designs in Baloch carpets of Khorasan. This pattern is a reflection of the mihrab, which is the special area for performing prayers in mosques. The most fundamental components present in Khorasan Baloch prayer rugs, which can be considered as the focal points of examination, include the following:
- The mihrab
- the upper arches of the mihrab,
- the borders.
The mihrab in Khorasan Baloch prayer rugs mainly follows a geometric and regular structure reminiscent of a diamond. Various shapes based on the diamond form are evident in Baloch prayer rugs, providing diversity and versatility in the design of the mihrab. Regular motifs in the upper section of the mihrab: A regular pattern is observed in the upper section of the mihrab in Khorasan Baloch prayer rugs, primarily rectangular or square in shape, adorned with various motifs as described below:
- Patterns of flora,
- human hand motifs
- combination of flora and human hand motifs
- calligraphic designs.
The space of the arches is adorned with floral patterns, but proportionate to the motifs of the central mihrab. Although there are also examples where the decorative structure of the arches presents a completely independent layout from the central mihrab.
The most well-known designs of Baloch rugs that are mentally woven include
- Gol Sheftaloo
- Three Bricks
- Stone Shooli
- Fathollahkhani
- Ya'qubkhani
- Judge's Daughter
- Four Birds
- Peacock
Bird Patterns
The bird patterns of Baluchi rugs can be divided into three groups: those with simple bird motifs, designs featuring realistically depicted birds, and patterns solely adorned with rooster crowns. The third group is not included in the classification of bird patterns. Many books and articles written about Baluchi rugs or Eastern and Iranian rugs depict the rugs of these tribes as symbols and models for the production of Baluchi rugs in Khorasan.
- Taki leaf
- almond blossom
- star flower
- Ali Akbar Khani
- Gaznirya
- shekhi flower
- Ashrafi flower
- flower fountain
- maddah khani
- Kashmiri
- cow and tower
- tall hat
Dimensions and Size:
Baluchi rugs generally come in small to medium sizes. The smallest ones measure approximately 80 to 90 centimeters in width and 120 to 140 centimeters in length, while larger rugs are approximately 100*150 centimeters, and their runners measure approximately 110*200 centimeters. Medium-sized rugs with fringes and edges are also common among them. Additionally, these rugs are lightweight, and their relatively low prices have made them popular in Europe.
The advantage of Sistani Baluchi rugs lies in their size, which is smaller than those of Baluchi rugs from Khorasan, making them popular among buyers in Europe.
