Indigenous Knowledge
عزیز مصطفایی
Abstract
Introduction and Core Focus: The "Gal" phenomenon in the mountainous Uramanat communities is a traditional mutual aid system rooted in ethics, kinship, and mutual commitment. Focusing on Bayanegan, this study explores Gal's structure, function, and cultural meanings anthropologically.Methodology and ...
Read More
Introduction and Core Focus: The "Gal" phenomenon in the mountainous Uramanat communities is a traditional mutual aid system rooted in ethics, kinship, and mutual commitment. Focusing on Bayanegan, this study explores Gal's structure, function, and cultural meanings anthropologically.Methodology and Key Findings: Data was gathered through participatory observation (in a 41-day road construction project) and in-depth interviews with local actors. Findings indicate Gal is more than just an economic activity (like agriculture or building); it performs crucial social and cultural functions. It acts as an institution regulating reciprocal relations and maintaining balance in Uramanat's ethical system. By fostering trust, social capital, and collective belonging, Gal promotes social and environmental sustainability.Conclusion and Significance: Despite modern changes, Gal remains dynamic and effective. As a living intangible heritage, it provides an identity and resistance function against individualism and the modern market. The analysis uses concepts like the "gift," "communitas," and "moral economy." Ultimately, Gal is a multi-functional institution (livelihood, ethical, symbolic) that ensures cultural continuity and serves as a model of cultural resilience against modernization.
Indigenous Knowledge
Samera Salimpour Abkenar; Amir AnvariMoghaddam
Abstract
The skill of making footwear (or giveh weaving) is one of the traditional and authentic Iranian arts. Although this art has already been forgotten in most places, however, it can still be related to as a cultural and social symbol. Tabas town and its surrounding villages were once considered one of the ...
Read More
The skill of making footwear (or giveh weaving) is one of the traditional and authentic Iranian arts. Although this art has already been forgotten in most places, however, it can still be related to as a cultural and social symbol. Tabas town and its surrounding villages were once considered one of the most important centers for making footwear (or Giveh) in South Khorasan Province. This footwear was widely used for long walks in occupations such as agriculture, herding, and nomadic life due to its lightness, flexibility, strength, and comfort. The aim of this study, in addition to preserving the foundations of Iranian culture and art, is to introduce a practical, step-by-step method of the traditional art of footwear making in the village of Korit. The main question of this study is "How does the traditional Korit footwear manufacturing method relate to the natural and locally produced raw materials of the region?" This is written in a descriptive-analytical manner and based on library documents, field observations, and interviews with master craftsmen in Tabas town and Korit village. The results show that the skill of footwear making refers to the "spirit of cooperation" between the men and women of the Korit village.
Indigenous Knowledge
samira hosseiny roudbary; hossain soltanzadeh; mehrdad matin; mohammad mohammadzadeh dogahe
Abstract
In recent years,gender-related perspectives in diverse societies have been recognized as a significant cultural dimension shaping residential spaces. This paper aims to analyze the influence of gender culture on the spatial configuration of indigenous houses in historic Greater Khorasan, particularly ...
Read More
In recent years,gender-related perspectives in diverse societies have been recognized as a significant cultural dimension shaping residential spaces. This paper aims to analyze the influence of gender culture on the spatial configuration of indigenous houses in historic Greater Khorasan, particularly in Herat. The study is qualitative, employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through fieldwork, documented plans, and analysis of formal and spatial characteristics of traditional houses, alongside review of credible academic and library sources. Findings indicate that the spatial configuration of traditional Herati houses reflects the structured gendered cultural system of Greater Khorasan, formed through complex interactions among environmental, social, political, and traditional factors. Specifically, case analyses show that women’s spaces are systematically designed with features such as relative seclusion, limited external visibility, and controlled access within the physical structure of houses. The physical layout and spatial organization of Herat’s indigenous dwellings confirm that vernacular architecture, as a cultural text, not only meets material needs but also encodes social values, norms, and hierarchies particularly those grounded in gender perspectives into form and space.
Indigenous Knowledge
Mohamad mirshafiei; atefe fazel
Abstract
Lusterware is a manifestation of metallic brilliance that appears on the surface of ceramic glaze through the formation of a thin layer containing reduced metallic particles, capable of reflecting a range of hues from golden to reddish tones. The successful formation of this layer depends on a combination ...
Read More
Lusterware is a manifestation of metallic brilliance that appears on the surface of ceramic glaze through the formation of a thin layer containing reduced metallic particles, capable of reflecting a range of hues from golden to reddish tones. The successful formation of this layer depends on a combination of physical, chemical, and technical factors, where any disturbance in these parameters may result in diminished shine or instability of the layer. The aim of this research is to analyze the manufacturing technology and identify the factors influencing the formation of the lustre layer based on historical written sources and experimental data. Accordingly, this study seeks to answer two key questions: (1) What are the variable factors involved in the successful formation of the lustre layer? and (2) How can a lustre glaze be produced by combining insights from historical sources and laboratory methods?In terms of nature and methodology, this research is descriptive–analytical, and data have been collected through library studies, observation, and laboratory experimentation. The results indicate that three main factors—including the base glaze, the composition of the lustre mixture, and the reduction-firing process—play a decisive role in the successful development of the lustre layer
Indigenous Knowledge
tahere mirzaei; mohammad ali talebi
Abstract
The popular literature of any land is a suitable platform for reflecting its social and cultural issues, which are presented in the form of proverbs, allegories, songs, etc. A large part of the elements of Khorasan's popular literature are related to reflecting the theme of "helpfulness" and the alignment ...
Read More
The popular literature of any land is a suitable platform for reflecting its social and cultural issues, which are presented in the form of proverbs, allegories, songs, etc. A large part of the elements of Khorasan's popular literature are related to reflecting the theme of "helpfulness" and the alignment of multiple efforts to achieve a specific goal.Due to the difficult climatic and geographical conditions of the region and the Islamic and Iranian culture of mutual aid and brotherhood, it has played an important role in the survival of the social life of the villagers and nomads of this region and is seen as one of the most deeply rooted components of native culture in many aspects of social life The present study, which aims to identify the cultural identity of indigenous knowledge in the South Khorasan region, is based on popular literature and is conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. It seeks to examine aspects of the culture of cooperation and helpfulness among the people of South Khorasan, using an anthropological approach and paying attention to the lived experience of the people of this land.And to reflect it in the speech tradition of this land. The results of the research show
Indigenous Knowledge
Adele Mohtasham; Samad Samanian
Abstract
The harms that have threatened many rituals and removed them from the cycle of human life also threaten the Nakhl-Gardani ritual. This can be understood from the idea of "changes in how the ritual is held and its preliminaries and endings, in such a way that they move away from its traditional-spiritual ...
Read More
The harms that have threatened many rituals and removed them from the cycle of human life also threaten the Nakhl-Gardani ritual. This can be understood from the idea of "changes in how the ritual is held and its preliminaries and endings, in such a way that they move away from its traditional-spiritual structure".Nakhl is a central and symbolic object in the Nakhl-Gardani ritual, the process of holding this ritual is based around this object, and the pathology of the continuation of the life of Nakhl is a large part of the pathology of the continuation of the life of the ritual. On the other hand, the accuracy in the mechanism of holding the Nakhl-Gardani ritual in the geographical-cultural area of the Yazd desert is a sign of the beginning of the harms and threats.The research question is as follows:What harms threaten the continuation of the authentic life of the Nakhl-Gardani ritual?The research method was descriptive-analytical, and the research data was provided by citing written sources, field observations, and interviews.Finally, a summary and conclusion were made by analyzing the collected content.The findings show that the damages, in three main groups, have affected the continuity of authentic life of the Nakhl-Gardani ritual.
Indigenous Knowledge
Bahman Bayangani; Sarah Hosaeni
Abstract
Traditional medicine, as an integral part of folk culture, is deeply rooted in a society's history and civilization. Accordingly, the main objective of the present research is an anthropological study to identify and analyze three prevalent folk treatment methods in the city of Sanandaj. This research ...
Read More
Traditional medicine, as an integral part of folk culture, is deeply rooted in a society's history and civilization. Accordingly, the main objective of the present research is an anthropological study to identify and analyze three prevalent folk treatment methods in the city of Sanandaj. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and an ethnographic method. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 participants (including 8 healers and 9 patients). Participants were selected via purposive and snowball sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The obtained information was analyzed using thematic coding. Data analysis revealed that these treatment methods are based on a fundamentally different ontological understanding of the body, illness, and treatment, where illness is not considered merely a biological phenomenon. Key analytical findings of this research include cultural components such as the belief in the role of psycho-spiritual factors (like fear and work pressure) in causing illness, as well as the social structure of knowledge transmission (through healers' inherent, hereditary, and acquired characteristics). The findings of this study attest to the richness of folk knowledge and the dynamism of the traditional and folk medicine system in the city of Sanandaj.
Indigenous Knowledge
Mohammadjavad Heydarian dolatabadi; Ehsan Aliakbari Babukani
Abstract
Traditional knowledge is a kind of science and experience that has been gained after many years of experience in native and local communities in certain geographic regions. With the increasing expansion of international trade exchanges, the need to support this knowledge, which is the result of the success ...
Read More
Traditional knowledge is a kind of science and experience that has been gained after many years of experience in native and local communities in certain geographic regions. With the increasing expansion of international trade exchanges, the need to support this knowledge, which is the result of the success of many generations of local and indigenous communities, is increasingly felt. Following the creation of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), international activities in the field of protecting intellectual property rights entered a new era, and following the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the adoption of the TRIPS Agreement, the attention of the countries of the world, in particular Developing countries focused on supporting traditional knowledge.. especially with regard to the ancient civilization and wide range of the country, requires serious consideration. Considering the nature and specific features of traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights of Iran, the design and establishment of a special system for the protection of traditional knowledge of the serious necessities of the legal system Iran is In this research, the necessity and characteristics of this support system have been studied.
