Azerbaijan

South Caucasus

PERSONAGES WHAT TO EAT MUST-SEE PICTURES

PERSONAGES

Natavan Khurshidbanu

Natavan Khurshidbanu was famous poet of her time, and also closely engaged in philanthropy, promoting the social and cultural development of Karabakh. Among her famous deeds was a water main that was first laid down in Shusha in 1872, thus solving the water problem of the townsfolk. Natavan met Alexander Dumas in Baku in 1858 and presented him handicrafts. A chess set with elegant figures was handed to the poetess by Dumas. In his article about the meeting, A. Dumas noted Natavan's elegance and charm, adding that Natavan's mother also attended the meeting.

Panahali khan

Panahali khan is considered the founder of modern Shusha city. He founded Karabakh khanate in XVIII century and built Shusha fortress. Panahali khan invited masters from Tabriz, Ardabil and other cities in the construction of Shusha. He managed to turn the city into one of the political, cultural centers of the region.

Kasıb öləndə molla xəstə olar

The literal translation is "Mollah is sick when the poor is dying". It means that nothing is done just out of simple kindness: if you`re poor and dying, even Mollah will pretend to be sick in order not to come and say the last prayer by your bed. In India, Iran and in Turkish-speaking countries, the Mollah is an expert of Muslim religious sciences.

WHAT TO EAT

Pilaf

Karabakh cuisine is famous for the embodiment of variety of dishes. Pilaf for Shusha residents was both an everyday meal and the most festive dish. There are hundreds of types of pilaf cooking. So one of them is “Minced rice”, which local people love very much. This pilaf was prepared during the reign of the Panahali khan. The other delicious dish of Shusha cuisine is chicken pilaf (cholpa pilaf).

Buglama

Buglama in Azeri means ‘steamed’, referring to the lamb cooking in its own juices over a low flame, for approximately two hours.This hearty dish consists of lamb pieces, stewed with onions, tomatoes, peppers, black pepper, and bay leaves, in a small amount of liquid. Although lamb is the traditional meat in this stew, buglama can be made with fish, chicken or beef. This dish is usually cooked on an open fire. Families who have left the city for the weekend to be out in nature commonly prepare it.

Kufta Bozbash

One of the famous national soups of Azerbaijan is kufta bozbash. It’s a rich, hearty soup, with plenty of spicy kick. To make kufta bozbash, you boil large meatballs in a delicious broth of peas, potatoes, and mutton bones, until tender. Dry or fresh cherries are often added to the meatballs. Depending on the region, you can find different types of ingredients and spices used in this dish.

MUST-SEE

Shusha

Shusha is one of the oldest places where carpet weaving is developed. The abundance of raw materials has given impetus to the spread of weaving in the region. Along with stone carving, pottery, metallization and others, Karabakh, known as the center of art and culture, has undergone a unique development.

Chovgan

The word "Chovgan" is used in some Azerbaijani sources as "tree". The name of the game Chovgan is also named after the instrument used in the game. This is a tool made of wood, called chovgan. Players play this game on horseback with the help of this tool.

Shahbaka

Shahbaka has been used in the architecture of Azerbaijan since the 11th-12th centuries Shabaka patterns, meaning lattice, symbolize the Sun, the energy of life, the eternal flow of time. Shabaka - are windows filled with colored glass, created by Azerbaijani folk craftsmen from small wooden parts without glue and nails. In Shusha city houses shabaka was the one the main forms of embellishments decorating windows.