that the that the people of people of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan

love.love.

The The Buta Buta

MotifMotif

This is a sign above a This is a sign above a store specializing in store specializing in Muslim clothing in Muslim clothing in

Sheki.Sheki.

This store with the two This store with the two examples of the buta motif examples of the buta motif is attached to the Muslim is attached to the Muslim

store called Butastore called Buta

Buta, Buteh, PaisleyButa, Buteh, Paisley

ButaButa is the Hindi word for is the Hindi word for flower. It has been anglicized as flower. It has been anglicized as butehbuteh, and the design has , and the design has become know in the West as become know in the West as paisley, because Paisley, paisley, because Paisley, Scotland, was the first European Scotland, was the first European city to copy the Kashmir city to copy the Kashmir pattern.pattern.

Paisley designs Paisley designs from from

quiltmuse.comquiltmuse.com

A design used in Paisley, ScotlandA design used in Paisley, Scotland

Buta HistoryButa History

Buta originated during the Buta originated during the Safavid Dynasty of Persia Safavid Dynasty of Persia (1501-1736). Later, the (1501-1736). Later, the design was quite popular design was quite popular with Iranian weavers during with Iranian weavers during the Qajar Dynasty (1795-the Qajar Dynasty (1795-1925).1925).

The most famous representation of The most famous representation of the buta in Azerbaijan is the Giz the buta in Azerbaijan is the Giz Galasi, or Maiden’s Tower, in BakuGalasi, or Maiden’s Tower, in Baku

View of buta View of buta shapeshape..

AADoorwayDoorway

upupthethe

valleyvalleyinin

ShekiSheki

Close-Close-upupofof

stone stone workworkononthethe

doorwaydoorway

The resemblance of the buta to half of the The resemblance of the buta to half of the yin yang symbol is often mentioned, since yin yang symbol is often mentioned, since cultures along the Silk Road from the Orient cultures along the Silk Road from the Orient to Europe not only exchanged goods but to Europe not only exchanged goods but also shared art, science and religion.also shared art, science and religion.

Restaurant Window in ShekiRestaurant Window in Sheki

Window Close UpWindow Close Up

PublicPublicwaterwaterfaucetfaucetand and

shrineshrine

Close-up of stoneworkClose-up of stonework

An interesting Variation An interesting Variation on the Themeon the Theme

The The craftsman craftsman of this of this traditional traditional Muslim Muslim cap used a cap used a continuouscontinuous, double , double buta motif.buta motif.

OOt t hhe e rr

CCaappss

Batik Batik on on SilkSilk

Dress in the Dress in the shop attached shop attached

to the Butato the ButaStoreStore

in Shekiin Sheki

Close-upClose-upof the of the

patternpatternof theof thedressdress

AnotherAnother

DressDress

InIn

TheThe

SameSame

ShekiSheki

ShopShop

Another Another

butabutadesigndesign

ininaa

ShekiShekiDressDress

Another paisley dress design in Another paisley dress design in ShekiSheki

Is this just a nice gate design or is itIs this just a nice gate design or is it

representative of the ancient buta representative of the ancient buta motif?motif?

What about this fence?What about this fence?

Cell Cell phone phone pouches pouches made in made in Sheki Sheki with the with the buta buta and and others others with with Allah in Allah in Arabic.Arabic.

The buta The buta design design on a on a larger larger handmahandmade bag.de bag.

Nature is the model for the Nature is the model for the style.style.

You can see Buta shapes in You can see Buta shapes in these basswood seed these basswood seed

distributorsdistributors

And in these leavesAnd in these leaves

This This design is design is attached attached to many to many

metal metal orchard orchard doors in doors in

ShekiSheki

OrchardOrchardgategate

close-close-upup

This paisley design is on This paisley design is on corduroy found at corduroy found at quiltersmuse.comquiltersmuse.com

Some sources say that Some sources say that the buta in Azerbaijan the buta in Azerbaijan is representative of fire is representative of fire or flames. Azerbaijan is or flames. Azerbaijan is “The Land of Fire.”“The Land of Fire.”

The buta is a plant The buta is a plant that is used for cooking that is used for cooking and heating houses. and heating houses. The flame from it may The flame from it may look like the buta look like the buta design.design.

Design in Baku CarpetDesign in Baku Carpet

This traditional geometrical buta This traditional geometrical buta design was used for planters or design was used for planters or

fountains in Sheki’s Axundov Park.fountains in Sheki’s Axundov Park.

Rug Design and Close Up in InsetRug Design and Close Up in Inset

Another one of those Another one of those containers filled with plants.containers filled with plants.

And in another in Fuzuli ParkAnd in another in Fuzuli Park

AAnnyy

BBuuttaass??

Close-up of the Buta pattern worked into the stucco on the side of the building in the previous slide.

Some Some sources say sources say the design the design was taken was taken from the from the Arabic 6, Arabic 6,

since they since they used a base used a base 6 numerical 6 numerical

system system instead of a instead of a base ten.base ten.

Xan Saray Border DesignXan Saray Border Design

Multiple Multiple butasbutas

at at XanXan

SaraySaray

Two Butas used at Two Butas used at Xan SarayXan Saray

Butas inside butas may represent mother with child or grandchildren. Connected butas may represent marriages.

Buta design in metal below the Buta design in metal below the gable.gable.

Close-Close-upupofof

metalmetalwork.work.

MetalMetal

WallWall

PlaquPlaquee

Buta design worked into Buta design worked into metal plov covers.metal plov covers.

BronzeBronzeSculpturesSculptures

at aat aroundaboutroundabout

on aon aShekiShekiStreetStreet

Close-up of Same SculptureClose-up of Same Sculpture

Buta design stenciled on a Buta design stenciled on a wall.wall.

InIn

TheThe

NationalNational

SealSeal

You can find it on candy wrappers.You can find it on candy wrappers.

Where Else?Where Else?Even in the Sheki Saray HotelEven in the Sheki Saray Hotel

Another Buta design on a Another Buta design on a Bulaq or public water source.Bulaq or public water source.

Close-up Close-up ofof

samesamebulaq.bulaq.

Butas are found Butas are found everywhere in Azerbaijan everywhere in Azerbaijan culture. Now that you know culture. Now that you know what to look for, see how what to look for, see how many different uses of the many different uses of the buta motif you can buta motif you can discover in the country, in discover in the country, in Sheki or in your home.Sheki or in your home.

The EndThe EndProduced Produced

By By

Joel RobbinsJoel RobbinsPeace Corps VolunteerPeace Corps Volunteer

Sheki Pedagogical TechnicumSheki Pedagogical TechnicumSheki, AzerbaijanSheki, Azerbaijan

20082008