History of Weaving in Baluch Tribes Baluch rugs have a wonderful history . They attracted the attention of carpet specialist many years ago and have never ceased to amaze them . There are numerous articles and books about Baluch rugs . Siavash Azadi is one of the exceptional carpet scholars who wrote a book about them . His book is an old and important source of information . Azadi also has an outstanding collection of Baluch weaves which is well-known around the world . [ 3 ] symmetrical which contradicts the knots that Baluch weavers use . This is a sign that helps researchers recognise old Sistani weaves . [ 5 ]
It is obvious that for a period in history , there was a government in the region that is today ’ s Sistan ( FKA Zarang ). The undeniable effects of such a power on the culture of the neighboring regions of eastern Iran is visible on their weaves . Archaeological discoveries of locations such as Shahr-e-Sookhteh which dates back to 4000 years B . C , show traditions and arts such as weaving , spinning , pottery , etc , that cast a large shadow over the neighboring areas . [ 6 ]
Many researchers and authors have attempted to classify and introduce different Baluch tribes and their weavers , but only have got inconsistent results . What they didn ’ t consider was the fact that weaving was always an inseparable part of not only Baluch tribes , but also all Iranian tribes . In fact , it cannot be simply attributed to one tribe or people as it ’ s one of the main features of tribal culture and art in Iran . It is safe to say that one cannot find an Iranian tribe or culture without weaving as its traditional form of art . Among these weaves , rugs and other forms of carpets have a special place since they were an answer to one of man ’ s primal needs as floor covering .
In other words , weaving has always been the most popular and the oldest form of art among Iranians and the majority of people ’ s necessities were met through weaving . That ’ s why carpet researchers learned information about the tribes through their weavers , their spectacular design or pattern , noble colours , high-quality materials , etc .
Here are the names of some of the Baluch tribes from Southern Khorasan and Razavi Khorasan whose weaving consists a big part of their cultures and based on research , have the most famous old Baluch weaves from design , pattern and quality perspectives :
Jan Beygi , Jan Mirzaei , Salarkhani , Ya ’ ghoob Khani , Ali Akbar Khani , Teymouri , Bahlouri ( Bahlouli ), Kolah Derazi , Abd-ol-Sorkh . [ 4 ]
Since tribes of Baluch and Sistan have coexisted and lived very close to each other , many researchers , listing the names of Baluch tribes include a few tribes from Sistan as well . In that regard , while categorizing the Sistani carpet , they may name it as Baluch .
People of Sistan took the same path as the Baluch . For the same reasons they moved to northern lands around Khorasan . The Baluch and Sistani tribes became so tangled with one another and as a result today they have similarities in culture , art and living .
While studying tribal Baluch and Sistani weaves it becomes clear that in some cases , patterns that originate from Sistan are dominating a Baluch weave . This shows the intertwined motifs from different Baluch and Sistani tribes that resulted in a number of designs that both tribes share . Therefore , we see some sources identify a carpet of Baluch origin while it ’ s from Sistani tribes such as Fath-ol-lah Khani , Madad Khani , Barahooyi , Sangchouli ( Sanchouri ), etc .
See a collection of carpets in the slideshow
A linguistic expert Ali Hasouri identifies the Bohlouri tribe as Sistani and their language as Farsi-e-Sistani ( Sistani Persian ). He points out that the knots used in Bohlouri rugs of Khorasan is
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