PRODUCTION OF FELT BY THE BASHKIRS: TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS

Abstract

This article describes modern production of felt by the Bashkirs in the southern and southeastern parts of the Republic of Bashkortostan from the perspective of preserving traditions and innovations. In the past, the Bashkirs widely used it in everyday life, it was used in many traditional rituals: family, wedding and religious ones. Yurts were covered with felt, Bashkirs laid large decorated pieces of felt on bunks during holidays. Often complete with a palas, it was traditionally present in the bride’s dowry. An elegant cheprak (serge, sergetysh), which lay under the saddle, and an elegant rug thrown over the saddle, decorated the bride’s horse during the wedding. In the course of research, the author came to the conclusion that for the Bashkirs felt at the end of the XX – beginning of the XXI century had an aesthetic and ceremonial (locally preserves) function. The analysis of the processes developing in the field of decorative and applied art of the Bashkirs in the Republic of Bashkortostan in the late XX – early XXI centuries showed that there are the following main forms of felt existence in the culture of the people: 1) a traditional way of felting sheep wool for large pieces of felt; 2) the spread of artistic felt production using traditional skills – these are home decor items – paintings, murals, ribbons for tug-of-bed, etc.; 3) creation of designer collections: coats, sleeveless jackets, hats, mittens, etc.; 4) the manufacture of wool souvenirs – dolls, jewelry items: bibs, beads, etc. Thus, along with preserving the traditions of Bashkir felt, innovations are also developing.