WHAT IS THE BUTA?                                     AZ

Buta ("bouter" [bu:tə], puta) – is a type of decorative patterns looks alike to almond or bud. It is prevalent decorative element of Azerbaijani Ornamental Art. It is assumed that Buta is an adornment which belongs to Fire-Worship Age. Buta was widely used in the carpet of Baku, Karabakh, Ganja, Nakhchivan, Salyan, Mugan, Ardabil, Tabriz, as well as in the interior design of buildings and other patterns of the art. Buta was widespread in the decorative and applied art of Central Asia and Middle East countries (on the tirma shawl (a kind of thin woolen stuff) of India, on the textiles and manufactured products of Iran.

 All forms of "Buta" are divided 4 groups:

1. “Buta” forms used in the decoration of carpets (“Mugan-buta”, “Salyan-buta”, “Khila-buta”, “Baku-buta”, “Sarabi-buta”, “Shirvan-buta”);

2. “Buta” forms represented a family life (“Bala-buta” (Child-buta), “Hemli-buta”, “Balali-buta” (Buta having a baby), “Evli-buta” (Married-Buta), “Goshaarvadli-buta” (Buta with two wives);

3. “Buta” forms having symbolical meaning (“Jygga-buta”, “Lelek-buta” (Plume-Buta), “Kusulu-buta” (Buta taking umbrage at somebody or something), “Govushan-buta”, (Joining buta), “Yazili-buta” (Written buta);

4. This group includes different forms of “Buta”: “Saya buta” (Monochrome buta), “Eyri-buta” (Curved buta), “Dilikli buta” (Cogged buta), “Givrim buta” (Curly buta), “Shabalid-buta” (Chestnut buta), “Zarkhara-buta” (Brocade buta), “Badami-buta” (Almond-shaped buta), “Gotazli-buta” (Buta with pompons), “Chichekli-buta” (Flowery buta), “Yanar-buta” (Burning buta) and etc.
   “Buta” forms having symbolical meaning became richer from time to time by motives with different contents and forms.

The following definitions were shown in the explanatory dictionary of Azerbaijan (page 331, Baku, 1966)

1. Buta –
   1. Bud
   2. Small decorative pattern looks alike to almond on cloth, small grill shape.
2. Buta – (persian – “bouter” [bu:tə]) Earthenware crockery (or crockery, made from fireproof material) to melt gold, silver.

Note: “Buta” ornament is widely using under the name of “Paisley” all over the world at the present moment. Also, this ornament is noted as origin of Persian-Sefevi in the article by name “Paisley” at Wikipedia, Internet Encyclopedia.

Buta is a beauty, a value which belongs to us. It is always a crown of our art and our literature. There is smoothing of our grandmothers, sign of our history on it. Unfortunately, the most people don’t know that this ornament has “Azerbaijani-Turkish” origin. It is our civic duty to take possession of Buta and to promote it finely.

Let’s assume of our Buta!

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