The Impact of Political and Social Transformations on the Carpet-Weaving Culture of Tuyserkan, Hamadan Province, over the Last Five Decades

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sepehr Qasemi 1
Ashkan Rahmani 2
1 -
2 Associate Professor, Department of Art, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
10.22047/hsd.2026.560023.1114
Abstract
Carpet weaving in Tuyserkan, a key cultural tradition of Hamadan Province, has long reflected the region’s social and economic fabric. In recent decades, however, political and social shifts—including economic sanctions, changes in export policies, rural migration, reduced participation of women, and the spread of synthetic dyes—have significantly reshaped its technical and cultural features. This study investigates how these transformations have influenced local patterns, color schemes, and weaving methods. Data were gathered through field observation, semi-structured interviews with weavers, designers, and merchants, and document analysis. Findings indicate that weakened export markets and shifting social structures have reduced the authenticity of motifs, increased reliance on synthetic dyes, and contributed to the decline of traditional skills among younger weavers, though elements such as latchak-toranj motifs and blue-red palettes remain prevalent. Addressing a gap in previous scholarship—which has largely emphasized formal or aesthetic aspects—this study highlights the socio-cultural impact of macro-level changes on the evolution of traditional carpet weaving in western Iran.
Keywords
Political transformations
Social change
Carpet weaving Culture
Tuyserkan
Hamadan
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Development of humanities
Volume 7, Issue 13 - Serial Number 13
Humanities
Volume 7, Spring and Summer 2026, No. 13
October 2026
Pages 237-253