Historical Turkish tamgas have been preserved in the culture, architecture and crafts of the Kashkai Turks
Historical Turkish tamgas have been preserved in the culture, architecture and crafts of the Kashkai Turks
Ancient tamgas, which are among the symbols reflecting the beliefs, clan ties and state symbols of Turkish societies, continue to be preserved in the culture, architecture and crafts of the Kashkai Turks in Iran.
The Kashkai Turks, who live mainly in Shiraz, Iran, lead a nomadic lifestyle. The Kashkai people, who originate from the Oghuz tribe, continue their presence in provinces such as Bushehr, Central, Kerman and Khuzestan, as well as in Shiraz.
Since they are mainly engaged in animal husbandry, there is a misconception that the Kashkai do not have a deep-rooted cultural heritage and do not leave behind a cultural accumulation.
With their local clothes, hand-embroidered carpets and carpets, unique dishes, embroidered tents and the animals they use for a living, the Kashkai people, who are attracted by local and foreign tourists, are actually carriers of a serious cultural heritage.
Despite the fact that local and foreign tourists coming to the region have been photographed among the Kashkai people and experienced a nostalgic moment, they do not make much effort to understand the deeply rooted history and cultural heritage that they bring to life in their motives.
Tourists are only interested in visual beauties, and the serious cultural heritage that nourishes these beauties is often ignored.
For example, the visual beauty of a motif embroidered on a dress or woven on a carpet also carries meaning and culture. Especially if this society is nomadic, it transfers the motifs embroidered on mountains and stones to its clothes, carpets, and sometimes to its traditional tattoo and transmits its history to future generations.
Being a nomad does not mean not having a settled lifestyle. Although the nomadic lifestyle is confused with nomadism, these are concepts that are far from each other.
The Kashkai people, who lead a sedentary lifestyle and travel to the highlands in search of pasture for their animals during the dry summer months, have also built many architectural structures throughout their history.
Kashkai, whose motifs are not far removed from Anatolian motifs and whose folk songs are similar to the Anatolian music of Abdal, also attract attention for their proximity to Anatolian culture among the communities living in Iran.
Of course, the similarity of motifs and embroideries with the Anatolian culture can be explained by the presence of a common history. The use of symbols and signs used by the Turks in history with minor changes in decorations can be considered as an expression of common memory.
Ancient tamgas, which are among the symbols showing beliefs, clan ties and state symbols of Turkic societies, continue to be used by Kashkai people today
These tamgas, also called "hearths", can be seen on handmade products, clothes, dishes and various tools, as well as on tombstones and architectural works.
Throughout history, the Kashkai Turks have recorded part of their history by carving their tamga on rocks called the "Provincial Quarry", which are located at the intersection of seasonal migrations. These moments are quite unique and important in terms of the number and variety of tamgas.
Iranian researcher and writer Hussein Jedi Bayat in his book "Ethnic and historical connection of the Oghuz and Kashkai tribes in Iran" claims that in his field research he identified many places in the areas of Kashkai where a large number of Oghuz tamga and letters of the Orkhon alphabet are found.
Bayat notes that these items, for which he also gives exact addresses, are unfortunately damaged by some treasure hunters, enthusiasts of ancient objects and people who pursue other goals.
Stating that they compiled an atlas of these symbols together with some researchers, Bayat says: "These tamgas are the historical heritage of these lands, and their protection should be the moral and social priority of every member of society."
Bayat claims that one of the largest and oldest collections of Turkish tamgas is located in the Teymere petroglyphs area in the Central Province, and that they are thousands of years old, but some of them have been destroyed for various reasons in recent years.
Speaking about Karim Khan's fort in Shiraz, Bayat describes the castle as an unknown but easily accessible treasure of tamga.
The four towers around the castle are decorated with the tamga mother, which is considered the most used symbol of the Kashkai people.
During wedding celebrations, the Kashkai Turks place a quadrangular tamga on the roof of their tents, which is a symbol of creation and fertility.
Almost all the floor stones in the interior of the castle are arranged in a certain way, and on these stones are engraved tamgas of Turkic tribes such as Igdyr, Eymur, Alayuntluk, Chepni, Begdili, Bayat, Karkyn, Alkaevli, Bayyndyr, Yaparly, Tatars.