Theculture of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani:Azərbaycan mədəniyyəti) combines a diverse andheterogeneous set of elements which developed under the influence ofIranic,Turkic andCaucasian cultures. Azerbaijani culture includes itscuisine,literature,folk art, architecture andmusic.[1]
Azerbaijan is the modern name of a historic, geographic region on the border ofEastern Europe andWestern Asia, formerly known as Aran (or Ardan) by Persian empires and Albania by theGreeks. It is bounded by theCaspian Sea on the east,Dagestan on the north,Georgia on the northwest,Armenia andTurkey on the southwest, andIran on the south. Although Azerbaijan is home to a number of ethnic groups, ten million people areAzerbaijanis.
The heritage, culture, and civilization of Azerbaijan have ancient and modern roots. Its people are believed to be descendants of ancient peoples who include indigenousCaucasian Albanian tribes, such as theScythians andAlans, and the laterOghuz Turks.
Caucasian Albanians are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the land, north of theAras, which is present-day Azerbaijan. Early arrivals included the IranianScythians during the 9th century BC.[2] TheSouth Caucasus was conquered by the PersianAchaemenid Empire around 550 BC.Zoroastrianism was already prevalent among theMedes in the lands surrounding the Aras. The Achaemenids were defeated byAlexander the Great in 330 BC. After the fall of theSeleucid Empire in Persia in 247 BC and its succession by theParthian Empire, the Caucasian Albanians established a kingdom in the 1st century BC and remained largely independent under Parthian rule until theSasanian Empire made the kingdom a province in 252 AD.[3][4] TheArsacid kingUrnayr adoptedChristianity as the state religion in the fourth century, and Caucasian Albania was a Christian state until the eighth century.[5][6] Sasanid control ended with their defeat by MuslimArabs in 642.[7][incomplete short citation]
For centuries before Islam arrived in present-day Azerbaijan,Armenia andGeorgia, the region was under Sassanid Iranian rule; before that, it was ruled by Parthian Iranians. Muslim Arabs defeated the Sassanids and theByzantine Empire as they marched into the Caucasus. They made Caucasian Albania a vassal state after Christian resistance, led by PrinceJavanshir, surrendered in 667. Between the ninth and 10th centuries, Arab authors referred to the region between theKura and Aras asArran.[a] Arabs fromBasra andKufa came to Aran, seized lands abandoned by the indigenous peoples, and became a land-owning elite.[8] Despite pockets of continued resistance, most inhabitants of Azerbaijan converted to Islam. During the 10th and 11th centuries, theKurdishShaddadid andRawadid dynasties ruled portions of Aran.
After the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, Azerbaijan was ruled by the IranianSallarid,Sajid, and Shaddadid dynasties. At the beginning of the 11th century, waves ofOghuz Turks arrived fromCentral Asia. The first ruling Turkic dynasty was theGhaznavids, from present-day northernAfghanistan, who took over part of Azerbaijan by 1030. They were followed by the Seljuks, a western branch of the Oghuz, who conquered Iran and the Caucasus pressing on to Iraq and overthrowing theBuyid dynasty in Baghdad in 1055.
Shīrwān Shāh,[9] or Sharwān Shāh,[9] was the title in medieval Islamic Azerbaijan for the ruler of theShirvan region.[9][need quotation to verify] The Shirvanshahs established adynasty which ruled Aran and parts of Dagestan,[10] in addition to Shirvan, and was one of the Islamic world's longest-lasting dynasties.
TheSafaviyeh was aSufi religious order formed during the 1330s bySafi-ad-din Ardabili (1252–1334), for whom it was named. The order converted to the Twelver branch ofShia Islam by the end of the 15th century. Some Safaviyeh, notably theQizilbash Turks, believed in the mystical and esoteric nature of their rulers and their relationship to the house ofAli and were predisposed to fight for them. TheSafavid dynasty claimed to be descended from Ali and his wife,Fatimah (daughter ofMuhammad), through the seventhImamMusa al-Kazim. The Qizilbash increased in number increased by the 16th century; their generals were victorious against theAk Koyunlu confederation, and capturedTabriz. Safavid Iran, led byIsmail I, expanded its base, sackingBaku in 1501 and persecuting the Shirvanshahs.
The region of Aran had been under Persian empires for millennia; the last one was ruled by theQajar dynasty. After its defeat by theRussian Empire, Qajar Persia signed the 1813Treaty of Gulistan ceding Aran, Dagestan and Georgia to Russia.[11][12] Local khanates, such as those in Baku andGanja, were abolished or accepted Russian rule. 1826–1828Russo-Persian war began with a Russian defeat but ended with a decisive loss for the Iranian army. The Russian Empire dictated the terms of the 1828Treaty of Turkmenchay, in which the Qajars ceded their remaining Caucasian territories.[12] The treaty established the borders of Tsarist Russia and Iran. In the Russian-controlled territories, two provinces were established which later constituted most of the modern republic:Elisavetpol (Ganja) in the west, andShamakha in the east.
After the Russian Empire collapsed in 1917, theAzerbaijan Democratic Republic was founded inTbilisi on May 28, 1918, following an abortive attempt to establish theTranscaucasian Democratic Federative Republic withArmenia andGeorgia.[13] The name of "Azerbaijan" which the leadingMusavat party adopted, for political reasons,[14][15] was, prior to the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, exclusively used to identify theadjacent region of contemporary northwestern Iran.[16][17][18] The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was one of the Islamic world's first democratic republics.[19] The ADR extended suffrage to women, making Azerbaijan the first Muslim state in the world to give men and women equal political rights,[13] and establishedBaku State University.
.jpg)
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(January 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Azerbaijani architecture combines Eastern and Western elements. Many medieval buildings, such as Baku'sMaiden Tower andPalace of the Shirvanshahs, are Iranian. Other examples of Iranian influence include theShaki Khanate palace inShaki, north-central Azerbaijan; the Surakhany Temple on theApsheron Peninsula; a number of bridges spanning the Aras, and several mausoleums. Although little monumental architecture was built during the 19th and early 20th centuries, distinctive houses were built in Baku and elsewhere. TheBaku Metro is noted for its decor.
The architecture in what is now is theRepublic of Azerbaijan was influenced by the expansion of towns, the application of Russian town-planning principles and the layouts ofBaku,Ganja andShamakhi. After what is now Azerbaijan was ceded toRussia, theatres, schools, hospitals and houses were built during the mid-19th century. Theoil industry in what is now Azerbaijan began to influence the regions architecture.[citation needed]
The first stage of Azerbaijan's architectural development during theSoviet era was related to the construction of the settlements of Binagadi,Rasulzade,Bakikhanov,Montino andMammadyarov around Baku. Settlements inAbsheron Rayon were the first examples ofSoviet architecture.
A number of schools were built in Baku and other Azerbaijani cities between 1933 and 1936. Four-story buildings, designed by S.Dadashov and M.Useynov in Baku and other cities, are distinguished by their expressiveness. Classic forms, combined with national architecture traditions, are typical of the projects.
Neft Daşları (also known as the Oil Rocks), a steel-pillar settlement in the open sea, heralded a new era of post-war architecture. Built in connection with the discovery of rich oil fields in the Caspian Sea in 1949, it includes houses, cultural objects and overpasses.
A new period of town-building and architectural development began in Azerbaijan during the 1960s. Baku (the capital) expanded during the decade, and the city's architecture defined its image.
Azerbaijan is also home to several modern architectural masterpieces, including the Flame Tower complex (which lights up at night to resemble fire), the Heydar Aliyev Center and the national Carpet Museum, built in the shape of a rolled-up rug.[1]
Azerbaijan's film industry dates back to 1898 in Baku.[20]
Azerbaijani cuisine,has been influenced by the foods of other cultures. Many foods which are eaten in Azerbaijan appear in the cuisines of other cultures too.
The annualGoychay Pomegranate Festival, usually held in October, featurespomegranates fromGoychay District, a parade, andAzerbaijani dances andmusic.[21]
Azerbaijani dances are melodious. They are danced at formal celebrations, and the dancers wear festive clothes. The dances are fast, and require skill.[22] Azerbaijani clothing is preserved in its national dances.[23]
Major elements of Azerbaijani culture are itsdecorative andapplied arts. They are represented by a wide range of handicrafts, such aschasing, jewellery, engraving in metal, carving in wood, stone and bone, carpet-making, pattern-weaving and printing, knitting and embroidery.
| This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(February 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Baku carpets are known for the softness of their material, intense colours, and decoration. They have about 10 motifs (including medallions and geometrically-stylized plants) and are exported.
Ganja carpets are noted for their ornamental patterns – relatively small in number, between eight and 20 patterns. Gazakh carpets have about 16 patterns.Gazakh District, in northwestern Azerbaijan, is the best-known carpet production region and accounts for the Gazakh and Borchaly carpet groups. Gazakh carpets have a geometric ornamental pattern, with a schematic presentation of plants and animals. Ganja carpets focus on geometric motifs and the schematic presentation of plants and animals.
TheKarabakh carpet is named after theKarabakh region (present-dayNagorno-Karabakh and adjacent lowland territories).
Shirvan is one of Azerbaijan's oldest regions. Carpet-weaving is widespread among sedentary and nomadic residents. The Shirvan school accounts for carpets manufactured in the following towns and villages: Shemaha, Maraza, Akhsu, and Kurdamir. The school has 25 compositions; Salyan carpets, with similar artistic and technical features, are also included. Shirvan carpets are characterized by intricate designs depicting everyday life, birds, and people.
Novruz is a traditional Persian regional holiday, celebrating theNew Year andspring, which is observed on thevernal equinox (March 21–22). It symbolizes renewal and fertility.
Festivities, rooted inZoroastrianism, resemble those in Iran. Preparations begin long before the holiday with housecleaning, tree-planting, dressmaking, egg-painting, and the baking of pastries such asshekerbura,pakhlava and local cuisine. Like other countries which celebrate Novruz, wheat is fried withraisins (kishmish) andnuts (govurga).Wheat sprouts (semeni) are essential. In recognition of fire-worshipping (an ancient Zoroastrian practice), every Tuesday of the four weeks before the holiday children jump over small bonfires and candles are lit (a tradition shared with Iran, where it is known asChahar-shanbeh sori). On Novruz eve, the graves of relatives are visited and tended.[27] That evening, the family gathers around the holiday table laid with Novruz dishes. The holiday lasts for several days, ending with dancing, music and sports.
During the Soviet era, the celebration of Novruz was unofficial and sometimes prohibited.[28] Since Azerbaijani independence, Novruz has been a public holiday. Each Tuesday of the preceding four weeks is devoted to one of the four elements: water, fire, earth and wind.[29][30]
Other public and traditional holidays includeRamadan, Women's Day,Ramazan Bayrami,Gurban Bayrami,Republic Day, Constitution Day,Victory Day, Armed Forces Day, Salvation Day, and Flag Day.[31] In rural areas, harvests are celebrated. Commemorative and remembrance days includeBlack January, the commemoration of theKhojaly massacre, and theMarch Days.
Symbols include theeight-pointed star combined with the fire element in thenational emblem. The country'sflag dates to the lateAzerbaijan Democratic Republic. "Azərbaycan marşı", its national anthem, was written byAhmad Javad with music byUzeyir Hajibeyov.
Azerbaijani literature is written inAzerbaijani, Azerbaijan's state language. Its closest relatives areTurkish andTurkmen.Azeri, is split up into two distinct languages.[32] North Azerbaijani (based on the Shirvan dialect and spoken in the Republic of Azerbaijan[33]) and South Azerbaijani (based on the Tabriz dialect and spoken inIranian Azerbaijan[34]) Both sublanguages areOghuz languages (a sub-branch of theTurkic languages) and are mutually intelligible with other Oghuz dialects spoken in Turkey, Iran,Turkmenistan,Georgia,Uzbekistan,Afghanistan,Russia, the Balkans and the Middle East.
The language arrived with the invasion and settlement of waves of Turkic tribes from Central Asia over several centuries. The indigenous language of the region around the Aras was a mixture of Iranian Tati,Talyshi, andArmenian; Talyshi is still spoken in parts of Azerbaijan. With the increasing dominance of Turkic rulers, the region's language was gradually infused with Turkic. As a result of the Soviet Union's language policy,Russian is widely spoken as a second language.
TheBook of Dede Korkut (which may date to the 9th century CE[35] and was first transcribed by the 14th century),[35]Alpamysh andKoroghlu are Turkic epics that are widely spread among Azerbaijanis and enjoy high popularity among them.[36][37] The earliest known figure in Azeri literature isIzzeddin Hasanoghlu, who composed adiwan ofPersian andAjemi Turkicghazals.[38][39] He used his own name for the Persianghazals, and the pen name Hasan Oghlu for his Turkic poems.[38]Nizami Ganjavi (born in Ganja) is considered the greatest romantic epic poet inPersian literature, bringing a colloquial, realistic style to the Persian epic.[40][41]
During the 14th century, what comprises the present-day Republic of Azerbaijan was ruled by theQara Qoyunlu andAq QoyunluTurkic tribal confederacies. Poets of this period includedKadi Burhan al-Din, Haqiqi (the pen name ofJahan Shah), andHabibi.[42] The end of the century was the beginning of the literary activity ofImadaddin Nasimi,[43] one of the greatest Turkic[44][45][46]Hurufi poets[47] and a prominent early diwan master[47] who also wrote in Persian[45][48] andArabic.[47]
Under Soviet rule, particularly underJoseph Stalin, Azeri writers who did not conform to theCommunist Party line were persecuted.Bolsheviks sought to destroy the nationalist, intellectual elite who had become established during the short-livedAzerbaijan Democratic Republic and, during the 1930s, many writers and intellectuals became mouthpieces for Soviet propaganda.
Persian andArabic literature have influenced Azeri literature, especially during its classical era. Influential Persian poets includeFerdowsi,Sanai,Hafez,Saadi Shirazi,Attar of Nishapur, andRumi. TheQuran andHadith have also influenced Azeri literature. Arabic poets includeAl-Hallaj who has influencedSufi literature.
In 1875,Akinchi (Əkinçi / اکينچی ),The Cultivator) was the first Azeri newspaper published in the Russian Empire. It was founded byHasan bey Zardabi, ajournalist and education advocate.[49] A 2015Washington Post editorial noted that a number of Azerbaijani journalists, bloggers, lawyers, and human-rights activists have been subjected to lengthy pretrial detention for their criticism of PresidentIlham Aliyev and other government authorities.[50]
Azerbaijani music is influenced by themusic of Iran, the Caucasus andCentral Asia, and resembles Iranian andTurkish music.[51]
Azerbaijani classical music of Azerbaijan, known asmugham (accurately speltmuğam), is usually asuite with poetry and instrumental interludes. The sung poetry sometimes includes a form ofthroat singing similar toyodelling. Typically about divine love, the poetry is most often linked toSufism.
Unlike Central Asian mugham, the Azeri form is less rigid (comparable to improvisedjazz).[52]UNESCO proclaimed Azerbaijani mugham aMasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 7 November 2003.[53]New York Times music criticJon Pareles called Mugham singerAlim Qasimov "one of the greatest singers alive".[54]
An annualMugham Festival is held inShaki. Held inShusha until 1988, it was moved to Shaki in November 1994 because of theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Meykhana is an Azerbaijani literary andfolk rap tradition[55] consisting of an unaccompanied song performed by one or more people who improvise on a subject. Its name derives from the Turkishmeyhane (tavern, pub), which originated from thePersian wordsmey (wine) andhane (house).[56]
.jpg)
Instruments that are used in Azerbaijan, forAzerbaijani music include fourteenstring instruments, eightpercussion instruments and sixwind instruments.[57] Traditional stringed instruments include thetar (skin-faced lute),kamancha (skin-faced spike fiddle),oud (originallybarbat), andsaz (long-necked lute). Thebalaban is a double-reed wind instrument, and percussion instruments include theghaval anddafframe drums; the cylindrical, double-facednaghara, and the largerdavul. Other instruments include thegarmon (a small accordion) andtutek (whistle flute).
Ashiqs are traveling bards who sing and play thesaz, a type oflute. Their songs are partiallyimprovised around a common base. The Ashiq tradition in the Turkic cultures ofAnatolia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia has its origins in ancientshamanism.[58]
.jpg)
About 93 percent of Azerbaijan's population is nominally Muslim, and approximately five percent of the population belong to theRussian Orthodox Church. Muslim religious observance is relatively low, and Muslim identity tends to be based more on culture and ethnicity than on religion. The Muslim population is approximately 70 percentShia and 30 percentSunni, with differences not defined sharply. Fairly-large expatriateChristian and Muslim communities exist in Baku, the capital, and are generally permitted to worship freely.
About 3.1% to 4.8% of Azerbaijan's population is nominallyChristians, an estimate of between 280,000 and 450,000.[59]Orthodoxy is represented in Azerbaijan by the Russian andGeorgian Orthodox Churches. The Russian Orthodox churches are part of the Eparchy of Baku and the Caspian Region. TheCatholic Church in Azerbaijan, under the spiritual leadership of thepope inRome, has 400 adherents; about half are foreign diplomats or work for oil companies.[60]
Azerbaijan has three communities of Jews (Mountain Jews,Ashkenazi Jews, andGeorgian Jews), with a combined population of almost 16,000. Eleven thousand are Mountain Jews, with 6,000 inBaku and 4,000 inGuba; 4,300 are Ashkenazi Jews (most of whom live in Baku andSumgayit), and 700 are Georgian Jews.
Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan dates back to the first millennium BC. With the rest of the Persian Empire, it remained a predominantly-Zoroastrian state until theMuslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century AD.Azerbaijan means "Land of Eternal Fire" inMiddle Persian, indicating a link with Zoroastrianism.[61] Traces of the religion are still visible inAtashgah,Ramana,Khinalyg, andYanar Dag.
After independence, Azerbaijan has taken measures to protect its cultural values, enhance its cultural life and cooperate with international organizations in this area. Legislation has been adopted by theAzerbaijani Parliament in the realm of culture, including:[62] restoration of the Azerbaijani alphabet based on Latin script (25 December 1991); mass media (21 July 1992); copyright (10 September 1993); advertising (3 October 1997); culture (6 February 1998); protection of historical and cultural monuments (10 April 1998); grants (17 April 1998); freedom of information (19 June 1998); cinematography (3 July 1998); sculpture (3 July 1998); tourism (4 July 1999); urban planning (11 June 1999); National Archive Fund (22 June 1999); mass media (8 February 2000); museums (24 March 2000), and publishing.[62] Legal protection of historical and cultural monuments is also outlined in international documents, including the 1954Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1970UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and the 1995UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects.[62]
TheMinistry of Culture and Tourism was established in a 2006 decree by President Ilham Aliyev. In addition to preserving the national culture internally, Azerbaijan cooperates with international organizations such as theUN,UNESCO, theIslamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and theCouncil of Europe to formulate an international cultural policy[63] and participates in international projects.[62]
Azerbaijan joined theEuropean Heritage Days project, initiated by the Council of Europe and theEuropean Union, in 2000. The European Heritage Days – 2003 Campaign was hosted in Azerbaijan from 26 to 28 September of that year. The campaign planned to open restored monuments, review monuments being restored, exhibit and catalogue the 2003 International Photo Initiative, and conduct the European Common Heritage Program and European Cultural Heritage Campaign at schools and universities.[62]
The topic of the 2005 European Heritage Days, held in Azerbaijan, was "Civilizations and peacekeeping processes". It had two events: the East-West Baku International Festival and a youth photo contest and exhibition.[62]
Azerbaijan became the member of UNESCO in 1992, and the UNESCO National Commission in Azerbaijan (within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) was established by decree of PresidentHeydar Aliyev in 1994. Azerbaijan joined UNESCO conventions on the preservation of cultural values and heritage, the recognition of specialities in higher education, diplomas and degrees, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.[63]
Baku'sOld City (with thePalace of the Shirvanshahs andMaiden Tower) was included on theUNESCOWorld Heritage List in 2000, andGobustan National Park in 2007.[64] Mugham was declared a masterpiece of humankind and intangible heritage in 2003, and the art of Azerbaijani Ashiq, Novruz, Azerbaijani carpet weaving, craftsmanship and performance of theTar,Chovgan,Kelaghayi, the copper craftsmanship ofLahij and flatbread making and sharing have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.[64]
Concerts, jubilees, seminars and symposiums, conferences and congresses, meetings and festivities were organized within the framework of UNESCO[63] to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth ofFuzuli (1996), the 1300th anniversary of theBook of Dede Korkut (2000), the 800th anniversary of the birth of Nasraddin Tusi (2001), the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mirza Kazimbey (2002), the 100th anniversary of the birth ofMir Jalal Pashayev (2008), the 900th anniversary of the achievements ofMahsati (2013), and the 100th anniversary ofUzeyir Hajibeyli's musical comedyArshin Mal Alan (2013).[65]In 2013, UNESCO and Azerbaijan signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture and communications.[66]
Baku was declared the 2009 capital of Islamic culture when it hosted the sixth Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers.[67] The city hosted the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017,[68] supported by UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the North-South Center of the Council of Europe, ISESCO andEuronews.[69]
To many, the fact that Ouseley—who had made such efforts to cultivate the Shah—drafted the humiliating Treaty of Gulistan in 1813 following the Russo-Persian War which awarded most of the western flank of the Caspian, including Dagestan, Mingrelia, Abkhazia, Derbent and Baku, to Russia, seemed nothing less than an act of betrayal.
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)On May 27, the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan (DRA) was declared with Ottoman military support. The rulers of the DRA refused to identify themselves as [Transcaucasian] Tatar, which they rightfully considered to be a Russian colonial definition. [...] Neighboring Iran did not welcome did not welcome the DRA's adoptation of the name of 'Azerbaijan' for the country because it could also refer to Iranian Azerbaijan and implied a territorial claim.
... whenever it is necessary to choose a name that will encompass all regions of the republic of Azerbaijan, nameArran can be chosen. But the term Azerbaijan was chosen because when the Azerbaijan republic was created, it was assumed that this and thePersian Azerbaijan will be one entity, because the population of both has a big similarity. On this basis, the word Azerbaijan was chosen. Of course right now when the word Azerbaijan is used, it has two meanings as Persian Azerbaijan and as a republic, its confusing and a question rises as to which Azerbaijan is talked about.
Until 1918, when the Musavat regime decided to name the newly independent state Azerbaijan, this designation had been used exclusively to identify theIranian province of Azerbaijan.
The region to the north of the river Araxes was not called Azerbaijan prior to 1918, unlike the region in northwestern Iran that has been called since so long ago.
Northern and Southern Azerbaijani are considered distinct languages by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (...)
