KARS AND GANJA-GAZAKH GROUP KARAPAPAK CARPETS
Atatürk Üniversitesi Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi Geleneksel Türk Sanatları Bölümü
Keywords: Karapapak, Tarakama, Borchali, Kars, Azerbaijan
Abstract
Karapapaks were descended from the Oghuz group of Kipchak turks which are one of the ancient Turkish tribes. The places where Karapapaks have mainly settled in are known to be Doghu Anadolu (mainly Kars) in Turkey, Georgia (Borchali), Azerbaijan (Ganja-Gazakh) and Iran (Sulduz) in South Caucasus. In these regions, Karapapaks are known as Tarakamas. The historical homeland of Karapapaks is originally Azerbaijani land Borchali, which is known as Marneuli of modern Georgia.
Karapapaks, who have managed to preserve their cultural heritage for more than a thousand years, are known to be accomplished at cooking, music as well as side carpet decoration. Geometrically patterned Karapapak carpets are known for their large-sized simple composition. Today Karapapak carpets, that are exhibited in international museums are known as Turkish, Azerbaijani and Caucasian, especially Kars, Ganja, Kazahh, Kazahh-Borchali carpets.