Creative Expressions of an Old Community

The Bakhtiari people of southwest Persia experienced an almost complete transformation of their way of life in the twentieth century. They began as a mainly nomadic tribal group moving with their sheep between summer and winter grazing areas, a difficult migration in the Zagros Mountains that is memorably recalled in the classic documentary film Grass: A Nation’s Battle for Life (1925).

In present times, only a small proportion of the Bakhtiari still live a comparable migratory life with some changes. Their animals now travel more often in the relative comfort of modern trucks. Contemporary migrants no longer walk great distances through snow-covered mountain passes.

Great changes followed the discovery of oil in the Bakhtiari regions. This was a new source of wealth and government influence for the tribal group in the early decades of the last century. In that period of substantial political changes, the leading Bakhtiari khans played dominant roles in the central government in Tehran.

These far-reaching changes were accompanied by a remarkable period of creativity in the design and production of textiles by Bakhtiari weavers. There had been a limited production of rugs in smaller sizes for local use with a limited range of traditional patterns. This soon evolved into a substantial production rugs and carpets in all sizes for trade and sale in the bazaars of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran.

The variety of new designs included patterns with complex garden designs, tile designs and prayer designs. Some notable patterns have large medallions and brilliant jewel-like colours. Other patterns imitate sophisticated designs of city carpets. With a little exposure, it becomes easy to recognize the great achievements of Bakhtiari weavers in the last century. Their work perfectly complements modern and traditional decoration