Kashgai

To the south of Isfahan, the Qashqai nomads, renowned for their rug-making, reside. The Qashqai are a large Turkic tribal confederation living near Shiraz and Persepolis in Fars Province. There are various theories regarding the origin of their name, with one suggesting it means 'the escaped ones,' while another popular belief claims it refers to 'horses with white spots.'

Lifestyle
Traditionally, the Qashqai are nomads who move seasonally with their livestock. They have migrated twice a year, to the Zagros Mountains in summer and to the Persian Gulf in winter. This movement provides ample space and food for large herds of sheep and goats. However, in modern times, many Qashqai have settled down and engage in agriculture or urban occupations. They wear round hats and colorful robes, raising donkeys, horses, and dogs alongside goats and sheep, which play important roles during their migrations.

Rug Characteristics
The Qashqai use their own wool to create rugs that are utilized in their daily lives. These rugs serve as wall tapestries and tent floors. Qashqai Persian rugs are characterized by practical colors such as red, blue, cream, and brown, which are resistant to dirt. The rugs feature a variety of motifs reflecting Qashqai life, including animals, plants, flowers, and trees. Stylized human figures can also be seen, along with designs inspired by the frescoes and columns of Persepolis. These motifs are incorporated into hexagonal and diamond medallion patterns, with designs featuring a circular medallion at the center known as the Hebatulu (Hebatru) pattern, named after the Qashqai tribe. Stylized birds, animals, and floral motifs surround the diamond-shaped central lozenge. Traditional colors include terracotta, red, cream, and blue.

Thanks to their coarse design, they are suitable for rooms with frequent foot traffic.

Production Method
Qashqai rugs are made on horizontal looms, with artisans sitting on the rugs as they work. Nowadays, both nomads and settled people produce Qashqai rugs, but there is no significant difference in style. The materials used for Qashqai rugs include natural resources that can be self-sustained, such as sheep wool, goat hair, and horse hair. Natural dyes are also used for coloring. The knot density of the rugs is relatively low, at a maximum of 180,000 knots per square meter, which does not indicate poor quality but rather signifies shorter production time and bold designs.