Cossack embroidery (Baylish embroidery): an original art from the heart of history
Kazakh embroidery or Bailish embroidery is one of the most beautiful and original handicrafts of Iran, which is rooted in the rich culture of the Kazakh people. Using needles and colored threads, this art creates various and eye-catching designs on cloth, which are often used to decorate traditional Kazakh clothes.
History of Cossack embroidery
Kazakh embroidery is a legacy of Turkic Kazakhs who migrated to Iran in the 20th century and settled mainly in Golestan province. With the passage of time and the influence of Iranian culture, this art has changed and has become today’s form.
Characteristics of Cossack embroidery
- Geometric patterns: Kazakh embroidery designs are usually geometric and include simple shapes such as squares, rhombuses, triangles, and straight lines.
- Fresh colors: fresh and lively colors such as red, blue, green and yellow are used to decorate clothes.
- Delicate stitches: Cossack embroidery stitches are very delicate and precise and often use chain stitches, rat teeth and stem embroidery.
- Application in traditional clothes: Cossack embroidery is mainly used to decorate traditional Cossack clothes such as klan kulik (women’s vest), hats and overcoats.
Materials and tools used in Kazakh embroidery - Fabric: Cotton and cotton fabrics are usually used for Cossack embroidery.
- Thread: Silk and cotton threads are used in different colors.
- Needle: The needle used for sewing should be very fine and sharp.
- Scissors: used to cut fabric and thread.
Stages of Cossack embroidery - Design selection: First, the desired design is drawn on paper.
- Transferring the design to the fabric: The design is transferred to the fabric using carbon or other methods.
- Sewing: Using a needle and thread, the design is sewn on the fabric.
- Completion of the work: after finishing sewing, the work is washed and ironed.
The importance of preserving and reviving Cossack embroidery
As a valuable cultural heritage, Kazakh embroidery needs to be preserved and revived. Teaching this art to the young generation and supporting Kazakh embroidering artists can help the sustainability and development of this art.
Challenges facing Cossack embroidery - Decrease in the number of artists: Over time, the number of Kazakh embroidery artists has decreased.
- Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes and switching to industrial products have reduced the demand for handmade products.
- Lack of high-quality raw materials: It has become difficult to find high-quality and natural raw materials for Kazakh embroidery.