"ABAD" beneficiary: Murshud Talibov | Beneficiaries

"ABAD" beneficiary: Murshud Talibov | Region: Ismayilly | National scarves (kelaghayi and others)

Residing in Baskal village of Ismayilly raion, Murshud Talibov is a master of Kelaghayi craft. This craft in Baskal has a long tradition and history, it is not by chance that this place is considered the origin of Kelaghayi - traditional Azerbaijani headscarves. It is common knowledge that diligent craftsmen pass their skills down from one generation to another, preserving the heritage of their (great)grandparents, in these terms, the family of M.Talibov is not an exception.

M.Talibov’s grandfather was a well-known Kelaghayi master not only in their village but also in the whole Azerbaijan. It is said that Mirza Alekper Sabir, Azerbaijani satirical poet, public figure and philosopher gifted him a dyeing pot dated 1818 which is still protected by the master. It should be pointed out that the artwork of his grandfather is currently on display at the National History Museum of Azerbaijan.

As a part of the policy of the Soviet government’s, attempts to make Azerbaijanis forget their history and dissolve the culture, mass repressions carried out by USSR in 1937. Many famous writers were targets of persecution and their arrest. As a result, his grandfather exiles the country and moves to Turkmenistan. Having been subjected to pressure there as well, he flees to Georgia. After a while, longing for his homeland, he turns back, settles in Amirjan village and secretly continues this craft. However, his moulds were dispossessed:

“My father got a Komsomol(political party) ticket shortly after he became a war veteran. Thus, the authorities stopped persecuting our family.”

Once the stability was established, the Baskal residents continued their favourite activities. At that time artels and small enterprises were created for the production of traditional headscarves. His father was the owner of one of those artels between 1972-1979. He, along with his younger brother, helped his father out there: “My father got a Komsomol (political party) ticket shortly after he became a war veteran. Thus, the authorities stopped persecuting our family”- he remarks.

“We were aware of the secrets of spinning and dying silk. We were skilled almost at each stage of the process. At those times there was cocoon in our village and we would go to collect them. The natural colouring of Kelaghayi is a very awe-inspiring process. We picking up liquorice, besom stem, smoke tree and peel of wild apples” –he states.

After graduation, M. Talibov starts to the Academy of Fine Arts in Azerbaijan with the aspiration of getting a master in the preparation of special stamps used in Kelaghayi making. Thus, he graduated from the faculty of wood carving. After, he keeps working on wood and stone.

Talking about the craft, he continues; “In November 2014, at the 9th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO, traditional art and symbolism of Kelaghayi, its production and the wearing were inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After witnessing the reborn process of the Kelaghayi, I wanted to contribute to the revival of this art as my predecessors did before.

At the same time, the creation of ABAD centres has made us feel more comfortable about sales and allowed us to dive into art. I've been making new moulds for two years now. The moulds are very intricate with our national patterns, emblems, monuments, and even Gobustan rock portrayals. Nevertheless, I am never tired of this work. I prepare scarves in our village. I still use my grandfather's moulds, knives and copper utensils. Following the announcement of 2019 as the “Year of Nasimi” in Azerbaijan, I also made a mould with poet Nasimi's description”.