1 Text editor: Abdolreza Dashtizadeh Technical & Art advisor: Katherine Azami Designer: Yourik Karim-Masihi

Published by: Regional Research Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia, Under the Auspices of UNESCO (Category2) Emaarat-e Kooshk, No. 31, Taqavi Str (kooshk), Northern Ferdowsi Ave, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Tel: +98-21-66170174, 66171336 Fax: +98-21-66170160 www.tichct.org

Cultural Department, Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts & Tourism Organization of Qeshm Free Area Organization Road (Kilometer 1), Azadi Square., Dargahan Road, Tel: +76-35252350, 35252407 Fax: +76-35242263 www.qeshm.ir

With the collaboration of Qeshm Island Geopark Qeshm Geopark Office, Nakhle Zarin St., Imam Qoli Khan Sq., Qeshm Island Tel: +76- 35242282-3 Fax: +76-35242282 Geopark.ir

Cover Photo: Asghar Besharati to become aware of their ICH and to have their capacities raised to function as a new generation of local guardians Foreword of it. UNESCO Convention for the The Intangible Cultural Heritage is safeguarded only when its bearers and practitioners are involved in the Safeguarding of the Intangible safeguarding process. These people, however, need to be Cultural Heritage equipped with a knowledge of the convention itself, as well as the experiences and practices proved as successful. A framework to promote Here, the category 2 centres under the auspices of rapprochement and respect for UNESCO are expected to play a significant role in raising awareness and strengthen capacities. The collection of cultural diversity and human programmes, strategies, and guidelines published by creativity UNESCO provide us with a firm ground to base our joint safeguarding activities on it. Also known with the abbreviated name “Tehran ICH Yadollah Parmoun Centre”, the Regional Research Centre for Safeguarding Director Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia is a Regional Research Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Category 2 Centre, active under the auspices of UNESCO, Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia, that has undertaken the duty of promoting all these over the vast West and Central Asian Region. And Qeshm Under the Auspices of UNESCO (Category 2) Island is place with an outstanding stance in the mentioned territory. The largest island of the Persian Gulf, located in 3 As of its adoption in 2003, the Convention for the the Hormoz Straits region that leads to the Gulf of Oman, Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has Qeshm has enjoyed, in the course of its long history, proved itself as an effective international instrument to the presence of a number of communities of navigators, make communities, groups, or individuals visible to the traders, fishermen, cattle-breeders, gardners and farmers, world as bearers and practitioners of diverse cultures. and craftsmen, from various ethnic and geographical Through such visibility people of the world are expected origins. Each of these communities has introduced its to become aware of the meaning and significance of ICH own expressions and practices into the overall treasure as a domain of culture with its own capacities; a domain of the, so called, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Qeshm with the potential to bring diverse expressions, practices, Island. Qeshm has, consequently, become famous among or concepts onto the scene to point to the creative power the other regions of Iran with its unique oral expressions, of human beings to simply express themselves, or to react performing arts, traditional knowledge, handicrafts, to the requirements of time and place. and rituals, customs, and festive events. The present The West and Central Asian Region, especially, needs collection is to represent part of this heritage to raise public to become more visible. A number of communities of awareness in this regard. different origins have lived here for centuries. Through I hope this catalogue will prove as effective in introducing this long rooted co-existence they have succeeded in part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the region to the institutionalizing effective methods of safeguarding their world. unique and shared heritages, managing their interaction with environment, and introducing well-established re- Yadollah Parmoun creations in their ICH to keep it alive. The 2003 Convention Director Tehran ICH Centre provides a ground for younger generations over the Region October 2nd, 2015 Glance at the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the largest island in the Persian Gulf

Abdolreza Dashtizadeh 4 Director for Cultural Heritage Office, Qeshm Free Zone

A first step to promote familiarization with the Intangible fishermen’s methods, among many others cultural Cultural Heritage of Qeshm is best constituted by achievements find their origins on detailed studies of considering the fact that the territory is an island seasonal winds on this sea of Persia. located on Hormoz Straits, the gate to the Persian Gulf. The presence of women with beautiful colorful dresses Archaeological investigations directed towards Ancient beside their handicrafts is significant: creators and Iran, especially the Sassanid Era, have proven extensive transmitters of lullabies and stories, crafters of a number trade exchanges through the island with Far East, of handicrafts; those who prepare sweets and sweet western coasts of the Indian Subcontinent, southern puddings, and strongly keep households in the absence coasts of the Persian Gulf, and, especially, the eastern of their husbands, when they are away for months for coasts of Africa. Such exchanges have been continued journeys on the oceans. vigorously in the Islamic period. Plenty of evidence from Majestic Qeshm Lenj-boats, crafted by local craftsmen anthropological surveys of dialects, rituals, customs of Goorān, Pey-posht, Lāft, Doolāb, and Sar-rig, among and costumes, and music, among other domains, other rural areas of the Island clearly point to cultural relations with Africa and India. Finally, the sweet local songs, accompanied by The characteristics of living on an Island in the Persian traditional musical instruments, especially Ud (“the local Gulf are vivid in the related intangible heritage. The string instrument”) provide us with a clear understanding ethnic architectural elements with Bādgirs (“traditional of the local communities on the largest island in the wind-catchers”), the traditional sailing, navigation, and Persian Gulf. Hoori “Hoori” is a long thin boat especially used on narrow canals of water in the Mangrove forests region, called “Jangal-e Harra”. Locals use these boats to carry the cut Harra branches. to feed cattle, Tabl Village, Qeshm Island Village, Tabl to feed cattle, ā Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Harvest of Harr 5 A woman from Chahoo Sharqi village cuts hoo-ye ā branches of Harra Mangrove forest trees to feed her cattle. tree branches to feed her cattle, Ch ā Sharqi Village coast, Qeshm Island, Ali Nejad Hengami coast, Qeshm Island, Sharqi Village Local woman harvests Harr ceremony, Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi, ceremony, ā Salakh Village, Qeshm Island Salakh Village, Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Azv

6 n Village, Qeshm Island n Village, ā Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Lenj Boat workshop ,Goor Ney-e Jofti “Ney-e Jofti” (“double flute”), also called “Qalam”, is a local wind instrument that consists of two reed flutes attached to each other using sheep intestine and honey bee wax. As regards the number of holes, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Bushehr varieties are distinguished n Village, Qeshm Island n Village, ā one from another. ute”), Tomb fl

7 Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Performance with Ney-e Jofti (“double m Island ā Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Local carpenter , Heng Lenj Boats Art of making Lenj Boats constitutes the major craftsmanship element over the Persian Gulf Region. On Qeshm Island one finds various types of Lenj Boats, according to their functions as either cargo or fishermen’s; these include, among others, Tashāle, Sambook, Boom, and Tartari. Lenj Boats consist of various sections, each with its specific name, and crafted using a different kind of wood. The villages of Pey-posht and Gooran are among the most important Lenj Boat construction sites on Qeshm Island. 8 Qeshm Island Lenj Boat workshop, Goran Village, Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Nowrouz-e Sayyād (“Fishermen’s Nowrouz”) The festive event is attended to express gratitude to the nature for its blessings. Women and men gather to swim in the sea. Fishing is not allowed on this occasion. People of Salakh, the most important village on Asghar Besharati Qeshm Island, take part shermen’s Nowrouz, Joyful youngsters play in water, shermen’s fi

in the ceremonies. d: ā Nowrouz-e Sayy Qeshm Island, Salakh Village, Wedding ceremony: Groom rides a camle, Soheyli Village, Qeshm Island, ceremony: Groom rides a camle, Soheyli Village, Wedding Ebrahim Khangah A groom rides a camel on his wedding day.

A wedding ceremony: Women in colorful costumes, men in white 9 clothes performing “Azvā”, and a decorated camel. Wedding ceremony, SoheyliVillage, Qeshm Island SoheyliVillage, ceremony, Wedding Ebrahim Khangah ceremony, Salakh Village, Qeshm Island Salakh Village, ceremony, ā

10 shermen’s Nowrouz, Azv Nowrouz, shermen’s fi d: ā Nowrouz-e Sayy Asghar Besharati Azvā Ceremony A traditional dance practiced by men. Men with bamboo sticks in their hands accompany percussionists playing Dohol. Nowadays, Azvā is performed in wedding ceremonies; originally, however, it used to be performed in the course of marine voyages. Two rows of men take turns in singing, and Dohol creates harmony. hoo-ye Gharbi Village, Qeshm Island hoo-ye Gharbi Village, ā ceremony, Ch ceremony, ā Mohammad Eslami Doulabi Azv 11 ceremony, Salakh Village, Qeshm Island Salakh Village, ceremony, ā shermen’s Nowrouz, Azv Nowrouz, shermen’s fi d: ā Nowrouz-e Sayy Asghar Besharati Young boy from Zeynabi Village has prepared himself in traditional clothes to attend Friday Prayers

Long-bafi, a once popular art of Qeshm Island, nowadays strives to survive. Young boy has got prepared for Friday Young Qeshm Island Prayers, Zeinabi Village, Abdolreza Dashtizadeh

12 (“art of weaving waist cloth”), a craft in need of urgent safeguarding, Kosheh Village, Qeshm Island (“art of weaving waist cloth”), a craft in need urgent safeguarding, Kosheh Village, fi ā Abdolreza Dashtizadeh Long-b Traditional craftsmanship Traditional craftsmanship includes brilliant arts and skills that originate in active minds and manifest in forms that are in complete balance with their cultural cores. Qeshm handicrafts have kept in themselves features of cultural exchanges with neighboring lands. Among these arts “Golabetoon-doozi”, “Shak-bafi”, “Lenj-boat making”, and “Ood-making” are worth mentioning.

13 betoon-doozi (“gold/silver lace braiding”): art of decorating women’s clothes and household betoon-doozi (“gold/silver lace braiding”): art of decorating women’s ā equipment with gold/silver threads, Qeshm Island Abdolkhaleq Taheri Gol Shak-bafi Shak-bafi is a handicraft that consists of making wool, golden, and silver decorative bands, 5 to 30 mm wide. The art defines Qeshm women with one of their outstanding skills. The bands are used to decorate edges of women’s clothes. Golabetoon-doozi or Kam-doozi: The most popular needle art on Qeshm Island. Almost all of the women know the art. 14 Golabetoon, or Kam, is used to decorate the edges of women’s clothes, as well as pillows, table cloths, bags, etc. betoon-doozi(“gold/silver lace braiding”): art of decorating women’s clothes and household betoon-doozi(“gold/silver lace braiding”): art of decorating women’s ā equipment with gold/silver threads, Qeshm Island Abdolkhaleq Taheri Gol A farmer from Geyahdan uses his “Parvand”, a rope made of palm-tree 15 fibres, and climbs a palm tree to harvest dry leaves. n Village, Qeshm Island n Village, ā hd ā Abdolkhaleq Taheri Harvesting date-palm, Giy 16 Borqa’, a covering for the face, Salakh Village, Qeshm Island Borqa’, a covering for the face, Salakh Village, Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Borqa’ Borqa’, a face covering, constitutes part of the women’s costumes on Qeshm Island. Borqa’s are crafted in different shapes, to the extent that each village is distinguished with its own Borqa’ type. Borqa’ points to the Qeshmi women’s village. On Qeshm Island Borqa’ is usually used after marriage. The tradition of wearing Borqa’ finds its origins both in the locals’ religion, and in their tradition of coping with the sunlight. “Qeshmi” and “Salakhi” Borqa’s constitute only two of the various types. 17 r ceremony, Salakh Village, Qeshm Island Salakh Village, r ceremony, ā Z Ahmad Bazmandegan Qeshmi Zār Ceremony “Zār” refers to the belief among the local communities on the Persian Gulf Region that a special mental disorder occurs due to the spirit of the patient, “Ahl-e Havā” in the local language, being haunted by mysterious forces called “Bād”. “Bābā Zār”s (“male healers”) and “Māmā Zār”s (“female healers”) are believed to be able to cure the disorder. According to such beliefs, Bād’s originate either on the Indian Subcontinent, eastern coasts of Africa, or in Arab countries. The ceremony manifests as burning Geshne, a special plant, sacrificing animals, and performing a special type of music. “Dohol”, a local percussion, is the most important musical instrument. hoo-ye ā hkooh, Ch ā Ali Nejad Hengami Sharqi Village, Qeshm Island, Sharqi Village, Traditional knowledge of camel breeding, Ch Traditional People of Qeshm Island fasten the legs of camels together to prevent them of moving away at night. 18 Women of Naqqāshe Village of Qeshm Island still procure water from water ponds, using the traditional methods. sheVillage, Qeshm Island sheVillage, ā Lady from Qeshm Island carries water, Naqq Lady from Qeshm Island carries water, Mohsen Mehdipoor she Village, Qeshm Island she Village, ā

19 Mohsen Mehdipoor Jahle, a traditional pot to carry water from old reservoirs, Naqq A lady from Naqqāshe Village carries a local earthen pot, called “Jahle”, to bring water from a pond to her house. 20 hoo-ye Gharbi Village, Qeshm Island hoo-ye Gharbi Village, ā shing net, Ch fi shermen’s local trap with shermen’s fi , ā Mohammad Eslami Doulabi Mosht Fishermen’s fishing methods on Qeshm Island constitute part of the local traditional knowledge. The photo represents “Moshtā”, a traditional method that consists of fishing according to changes in the depth of water under the influence of the moon’s gravity. Doll-making is one of the traditional arts on Qeshm Island. Dolls are made using colorful pieces of cloth, to be used by children. The photo depicts the members of a fisherman’s family. Qeshm Island Dolls, Masoud Mowlayi

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Camle breeding constitutes one of the occupations of the local communities on Qeshm Island. Camle-breeders are known as “Sarevoon”s. Camles are present in a number of ethnic rituals and ceremonies, including wedding, among others. Traditional knowledge of camel breeding< Qeshm Island Traditional Ebrahim Nikkhoo Qeshm Island Geopark, guardian of the local Intangible Cultural Heritage

22 Geoparks encompass vast territories with specified Qeshm Island ethnic art and culture borders and significant geological features, as well as local Among the valuable merits of Qeshm Island Geopark, a dwellings in the neighborhood, all interacting to contribute collection of unique features, including rituals, handicrafts, to the economic development of the region. Qeshm Island and ethnic architectural manifestations are worth Geopark constitutes the first among the internationally mentioning, all pointing to the rich cultural and artistic inscribed geoparks, and the only one inscribed in the heritage of the past. These deeply rooted traditional Middle East. The area amounts to 1,561 square kilometers, features of the welcoming people of Qeshm, both that covers the full island territory, with the exception of the bring happiness to their lives, and present tourists with cities of Qeshm and Dargahān. outstanding attractions. Presently, 27 Geosites have been officially nominated Ethnic festive events on Qeshm Island Geopark are richly within the Geopark, of which the Qeshm Island Geopark varied. Ritualistic gatherings including “Rezif (Azvā)”, Museum, Qeshm Historical Castle, Khorbas Caves, Stars chanting ceremonies on the occasion of the birthday of Valley, Nāz Islands, Turtles Coast, Gold Wells, Naderi the Holy Prophet, called “Mowlood-khāni”, ethnic wedding Fortification of Lāft, Lāft, the City of Wind-catchers, Lenj- ceremonies, ceremonies of launching newly-built Lenj- boat Making Workshop in Lāft, Pey-posht, and Goorān, boats, rain-seeking rituals, the fishermen’s ceremonies Harra Mangrove Forest, Dolphins Ecosystem, Chāhkooh on the eve of the new fishing season, called “Nowrouz-e Rock Passage, Valley of Statues and Qeshm Roof, Goori Sayyād” (Fishermen’s Nowrouz”) held in Salakh Village, Rock Wall, and the Salt Cave are among the known tourist all witness the healthy and joyful spirit of the Qeshm Island attractions. dwellers. Such Intangible Cultural Heritage continues to bring smile to the faces of the people on well-established occasions and well-defined places. Abdolreza Dashtizadeh Ud, a musical instrument of Lenj-boat making workshop, Gouran Village, Qeshm Island 23 Qeshm Island Camel-breeding, a traditional knowledge on Lady from a village on Qeshm Island Qeshm Island Abdolkhalegh Taheri Abdolkhalegh Taheri Abdolkhalegh Taheri Koorkoorākooh,

24 Abdolkhalegh Taheri Qeshm Island

Tang-e Kāriyān,

Qeshm Island Abdolkhalegh Taheri