National Culture
Culture of Azerbaijan roots in ancient times, as documented by petroglyphs on the rocks of Gobustan, Gamigaya in Nakhchivan, on the mountain Dalidag in Kalbajar; archaic ceramics of neolith and epoch of bronze, bronze ornaments and utensils, products from gold and silver found in numerous barrows, burials and settlements.
The ancient cults (animism, ancestors' cult, etc.) in Azerbaijan were replaced by Zoroastrian religion by the middle of 1 millennium BC. Being one of the most ancient religions on the planet, it contains the concept of duality ruling the world (Good and Evil, Ahuramazda and Ahriman), and so one of the main spiritual duties of Zoroastrian worshipper was the concept of Choice. One of the main holidays became Novruz, which is interpreted as "New Day" and means a new day approaching with the victory of Good over Evil. Novruz lost the meaning of a Zoroastrian holiday while centuries passed by, and today is considered as the holiday of spring in the day of Spring equinox on March 21 in Azerbaijan. It is a cheerful holiday that is being celebrated for several weeks. The people have kept recipes of its ritual dishes and sweets through millennia.
In the Middle Ages a number of cities emerged as main cultural, political, administrative and trading centers. Such cities in the history of Azerbaijan were Shamakhi, Ganja, Baku, Barda, Sheki, Tabriz, Nakchivan, Shabran, Ardabil, Maraga, Gabala, Beylagan etc. Medieval authors called Azerbaijan the country of hundred cities. By the 5th century AD Caucasian Albania had already its own writing alphabet. Albanian educator Musa Kalankatu wrote "The Agwan History" in the 7th century AD including the poem of Albanian poet Davdak "On Death of Grand Duke Javanshir".
In late 7th - early 8th centuries, when the great bulk of the town population adopted Islam, a new culture emerged, and the Albanian writing was replaced with Arabic. Muslim educational institutions, mektebs or madrasa, where Arabic was taught alongside with the Koran, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, philosophy etc., spread over the country. Construction works were extensive in the country during both the Albanian period and afterwards. Many cult buildings (churches, mosques), bridges, castles, fortresses, irrigational constructions appeared during 11-12th centuries, marking the time of renaissance in Azerbaijan.
This epoch brought along poets, thinkers, architects such as a philosopher Bakhmanyar, historian Masud Ibn Namdar, architect Abubakr Ajami, poetess Mahsati Ganjavi and the great poet and philosopher Nizami Ganjavi, poet and thinker Khagani and so on. At this particular time the turk-oghuz epos "Kitab-i-Dede Gorgud" was finally formed; chess, backgammon, chovgan game of polo were the wide-spread entertainments all around. Almost in each town a "zorkhana", a wrestling hall or gym, was available. Thanks to that period, we enjoy such gorgeous architectural objects as fortifications of Baku, Maiden tower, mausoleums of Nakhchivan, kanegah on the river Pirsaat and many other monuments.
The intensive development of culture proceeded further in the 13th -15th centuries despite wars and invasions. Such masterpieces of poetry as "Divan", the assembly of verses by a poet Hasanoglu, "Kissa and Yussuf" by a poet Ali were created in Azerbaijani language. A big observatory was built in ??raga under the initiative and plans of the great Azerbaijani astronomer, scientist and philosopher Nasreddin Tusi who was considered a mentor by many subsequent astronomers of the Muslim period, including Ulugbek. The Observatory was equipped with devices, previously unknown to science, designed by Tusi himself. At that time musicians Safiaddin Urmavi and Abdulgadir Maragahi created the original and unparalleled musical system.
The culture of this epoch is distinguished with such outstanding personalities as Imamaddin Nasimi, Badr Shirvani, Abdurrashid Bakuvi, Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, philosophers and poets. The famous historian Rashidaddin and others lived at that time. Many of the celebrated personalities - poets, mathematicians, philosophers - developed high principles of Sufi philosophy that were frequently concealed by love lyrics. Such Sufi philosophers as Nasimi and Bakuvi enriched the culture of universal values.
During the epoch of Safavids (16th century) the art of miniature and calligraphy got a new impetus. One of the most known schools of miniature in the East, the Tabriz school, and its brightest representative Sultan Mohammed (16 century) flourished at the time. Mohammed Fizuli's (1494-1556) poem "Leili and Majnun" became the poetic pinnacle. Spoken folk poetry also developed. The epos "Koroglu" was very popular in the region and the person of that legendary folk hero was so popular that now there are several presumed places of his legendary fortress Chanlibel.
During the Middle Ages applied art crafts - glazed ceramics, metal wares, colored glassworks, art of carpet weaving embroidery and tapestry - rapidly developed in Azerbaijan. Those goods were widely exported, and remarkable samples nowadays are kept in the leading museums of the world (the Hermitage, the Louvre, Topgapy, Victoria and Albert Museum, Metropolitan Museum etc.).
The reputation of local craftsmen allowed them to be often invited for work in other countries, and during wars they were taken away forcibly. For example, Azerbaijani builders, copper-smiths, calligraphers and architects participated in construction of many architectural masterpieces of Samargand, Shakhrisabz, Iraq and India.
After Azerbaijan had become a part of Russian Empire, the stage of stronger European cultural influence began. It was reflected in fine arts, architecture, literature, education etc. In the 19th century the first scientific research of the history of Azerbaijan since the medieval ages, "Gulistan-i-Iram" by Bakikhanov, appeared. At the same time Mirza Fatali Akhundov (1812-1878), the founder of the Azerbaijan's drama and modern Azerbaijan literature, became known for his realistic novels and dramas. In 1874, the first newspaper in Azerbaijani language, "Ekinchi", was issued. The publisher of the newspaper was well-known educator Hasan bey Zardabi.
In March, 1873, the first theatre performance in Azerbaijani language took place, and in 1866 the first grammar school, and later in 1864 the first female grammar school were opened in Baku. In 19th - early 20th centuries a number of newspapers and magazines were issued in Azerbaijani: "Hummet", "Takammul", as well as in Russian - "Bakinski Rabochi", "Kaspi". The satiric magazine "Molla Nasreddin", issued by writer J. Mammadguluzadeh, was met with great success. Some outstanding personalities were cooperating with the magazine, including a well-known artist-caricaturist Azim Azimzadeh, a poet-satirist M.A.Sabir, and a poet Aligulu Gamkyusar etc.
Opening night of the first national opera "Leyli and Majnun" by composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov took place on January, 12, 1908. On October 25, 1913, first night of the national comedy "Arshin mal alan" gained the hearts of the public. Outstanding masters of national theatrical stage of that period were Huseyn Arablinski, Huseyngulu Sarabski, Mirza Aga Aliyev, and Sidgi Ruhulla. At the same period a basis for modern fine arts in Azerbaijan was created. Its founders were artists Bakhruz Kangarli and Azim Azimzadeh. Architects Ploshko, Skibinski, Goslavski, Ahmedbey Ziverbayov built such remarkable objects as the present Puppet Theatre, City Hall of Baku, Museum of History, Museum of Arts, National Academy of Sciences, Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Juma Mosque in Shamakhi etc.
After the beginning of the Soviet period in Azerbaijan such new directions as constructivism found reflection in the architecture of Baku (Shyusev and Vesnin brothers) that led to construction of the former Azerneshr and other buildings in the city. The national school of architecture developed under the creative impact of Useynov, Dadashev, Gasimzadeh, Ismaylov, and Shulgin.
Such poets, writers and dramatists as Huseyn Javid, Mikayil Mushfig, Abbas Sahhat, Yusif Chamanzaminli, Mammadseyid Ordubadi, Jafar Jabbarli and others enriched the national literature of Azerbaijan. Such composers as Gara Garayev, Niyazi, Fikret Amirov, and Arif Melikov greatly influenced the development of modern national musical culture. Such composers and jazz musicians as Vagif Mustafazadeh, Aziza Mustafazadeh, Rafig Babayev and others started using traditional motifs in their music.
The most famous artists and sculptors of the period were Mikayil Abdullayev, Sattar Bahlulzadeh, Tair Salakhov, Togrul Narimanbeyov, Alakbar Rzaguliyev, Fuad Abdurahmanov, Tokay Mammadov, Omar Eldarov, but they form only a small portion of the talented group. The well known modern film directors are Hasan Seyidbeyli, Rasim Ojagov, Arif Babayev, Ajdar Ibrahimov and others. The list of renowned writers includes the names of Magsud and Rustam Ibrahimbeyovs, Natig Rasulzadeh, Elchin, Chingiz Abdullayev and others.
National traditions
Ramazan Bayrami
Kurban Bayram
NOVRUZ Bayrami
Among the Transcaucasian republics Azerbaijan is the most densely populated one. More than 7.5 million people live here, of which over 300,000 are in the Nakhchivan Republic. Azerbaijan is distinguished with a high birth rate. Annually about 180,000 infants (2.7 per woman) are born here, with an infant mortality of 34.8 per 1000 births. Azerbaijan has a remarkable longevity rate (average for women- 70.8 years, men- 67.0 years). Every 100,000 citizens has 80 people aged 100 or more, especially among Karabakh and Talysh citizens. The record for long living belongs to Shirali Muslimov (161). At the same time Azerbaijan is a country of youth. Children (under 14) constitute one third of the whole population while people with the ability to labor make up about 60%. Of this percent, some 32% is involved in agriculture and forestry, 26% in industry, 42% in other modes of work. 100% of the population at the age from 9 to 49 is literate. Azerbaijanis constitute 90% of the population and belong to the Caspian type of the southern Europoid race. They are distinguished with sturdy build with a prevailing dark pigmentation, medium height and partially round shaped head, narrow face, rather narrow nose and in majority of cases big brown eyes. The language spoken by Azerbaijanis belongs to south-western group of Turkic languages. Another comparatively numerous national group is formed by Russians. They appeared here at the beginning of the XIX century when the tsarist government started the deportation of dukhobors, molokans and other sectants from the remote parts of Russia and the Ukraine and their settlements appeared at the beginning of the 20th century in different regions of Baku and Yelizavetpol. Among the other nationalities living in Azerbaijan are Lezgins, Avars, Udins, Tzakhurs, Tats, Kurds, Talyshs, Tatars and Georgians. The distribution of the population is uneven, explained by the diversity of natural resources.
80% of the population is concentrated on valleys and low lands that are more convenient for farming industry and where the large industrial centers lie and irrigating agriculture is developed. This belt covers Kur-Araz, Samur-Devechi and Lankaran lowlands, and also Ganja-Gazakh and PriAraz valleys and Absheron Peninsula. Average population density of Azerbaijan is 86 persons per 1 sq. km. Absheron Peninsula is more densely populated (800 persons per 1 sq.km.). But even on valleys and lowlands the populated settlements are not evenly distributed. On the average every 100 sq.km. has 6 populated points, but their number increases to 20-25 along the river valleys, irrigating canals, highways and railroads. On the territories of salt-marshes and semi-deserts the number of settlements falls to 1-5 per 100 sq.km. 20% of the population lives in mountains. An average density is 42 persons per 1 sq.km. The net number of settlements is decreasing, and the number of urban dwellers here constitutes 42%. 7% live on the highest points within 1000-2000 m. above the ocean level. An average density here falls to 22 persons per 1 sq. km. In districts situated over 2000 m. above the ocean the density is less than 1 person per 1 sq. km. The traces of urban settlements were patterned long before the time of Christ (B.C.), however formation and development of urban life refers to the period of progressing of feudal relations. The towns that appeared earlier were either the centers of feudal states such as Barda, Shemakha, Sheki, Ganja in the 4th-5th centuries or fortresses like Gardiman and Baylakan in the 5th century. Later trade and handicraft developed there. Trade ways passing across the territory of Azerbaijan to a certain extent prompted the emergence of small towns like Guba, and Shusha. Wars and separation of Azerbaijan into small states prevented the city growth. The progressing of capitalist relations in the middle of 19th century especially the run of Baku-Tiflis railroad as well as the highways binding Azerbaijan with Central Russia, favorably influenced the progress of economy. Along the railroads and in attached regions started to grow already shaped cities of Baku and Ganja. The extraction of mineral resources, construction of power stations, enterprises of metallurgy, chemical industry and others followed the emergence of cities like Sumgayit, Mingechevir, Dashkesan with features of industrial centers. The cities carrying out transport functions lay on the crossing of railroads and highways. To these belong Yevlakh, Salyan, Julfa and others. Resorts such as Shusha, Naftalan, Istisu, Bilgah, Mardakyan have appeared. As a whole a compact net of towns is peculiar for Azerbaijan, having 20 settlements, per 10 sq. km. At present the urban population makes 54%. Along with the Baku agglomeration (2.5 million) the largest towns are Ganja (291,000 inhabitants) Sumgayit (268,000), Mingechevir (96,000), Nakhchivan (76,000), Ali-Bayramli (65,000), Khankendi (57,000), Sheki (56,000), Lankaran, Yevlakh, Shusha, Guba, Kurdamir. The diversity of natural conditions in Azerbaijan long ago promoted the development of agricultural fields and a merging of rural settlements. In the past the villages with landowners - bey estates and peasants houses predominated as the type of settling. Very often such villages appeared on the banks of rivers and irrigating canals, on mountain slopes and along the roads leading to centers. The construction of irrigating canals in Kur-Araz low-lands resulted in agricultural economy moving beyond former borders into less populated areas especially to Mughan, Mill and Salyan Valleys.
The majority of rural population is involved in agriculture. Some rural points emerged with the growth of handicraft and mining industry: Goradiz, Ramani, Zaklik, Gushchu, Badamli and others. There are some recreation centers like Hajikend, Azad, Chaykend, Aghsu, resort settlements (Goygol, Chukhuryurd), rural settlements that provide the service of railroad transport and oil pipeline - Leki, Hajigabul, Dalap and others. There are villages in which the inhabitants tend to combine agriculture with carpetweaving and coppercraft with such villages are Dashbulag, Basgal, Gimil, Jasal, Urva, Pirebedil, Mashkhan, Azerbaijan is a country where national traditions are well preserved. The holidays on Moon calendar, "Gurban bayram" (the Feast of Sacrifice), "Ramazan" holiday (holiday after fasting) are marked as before. "Novruz" holiday (novruz is translated as "a new day") is the most ancient and cherished holiday of a New Year and spring. It is celebrated on the day of vernal equinox - March 21-22. Novruz is the symbol of nature renewal and fertility. Agrarian peoples of the Middle East have been celebrating Novruz since ancient times.
Preparations for Novruz start long before the holiday. People do house cleaning, plant trees, make new dresses, paint eggs, make national pastries such as shakarbura, pakhlava and a great variety of the national cuisine. Wheat is fried with kishmish (raisins) and nuts (govurga). It is essential for every house to have "semeni" - sprouts of wheat. As a tribute to fire-worshiping every Tuesday during four weeks before the holiday kids jump over small bonfires and candles are lit. On the holiday eve the graves of relatives are visited and tended. Novruz is a family holiday. In the evening before the holiday the whole family gathers around the holiday table laid with the various dishes to make the New Year rich. The holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands, contests of national sports. In rural areas crop holidays are marked.
