From Fertility to Bread-Bearing: The Symbolism of Pea Ritual Dolls in Farrokhshahr Culture

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Handicrafts, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

As part of indigenous culture of Farrokhshahr in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, pea dolls reflect the connection between indigenous art and nature and agricultural traditions. The natural ridges and depressions of the peas create a relative resemblance to the human face, which is transformed into a symbolic doll by adding simple details such as drawing eyes and mouths. These dolls are made in both male and female genders and are placed on the grass during Nowruz to evoke concepts such as blessing, fertility, and bread-making. The present study, with a descriptive-analytical approach and based on anthropological studies, examines the role of gender in pea dolls and its connection with social beliefs. The authors are trying to identify the relationship between pea dolls and the concepts of fertility and bread-making and answer the question: "What is the role of the female and male genders in pea dolls and how are they linked to the concepts of fertility and bread-making?" The findings from documentary studies show that these dolls, in addition to aesthetic aspects, have deep concepts in the field of cultural identity, social beliefs, and gender roles. The position of these dolls in strengthening national identity, preserving traditional rituals, and their connection with the concepts of fertility and bread-making highlight their importance in Iranian culture. In addition, pea dolls are a reflection of the social roles of women and men in traditional Iranian society and, along with ritual values, act as a factor in transmitting beliefs and traditions to future generations.

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