Azerbaijani Apotropaic

In the syncretic Muslim belief of Lahij (located in northern Azerbaijan), the mummified cat, embedded in this wall above the samovars, is thought to ward off evil. There is also a history, around the world, of placing mummified cats within the walls of your home for the same reason. 

Azerbaijani, located in the southern Caucasus, became part of the Persian Empire from the 6th century BC, and the ethnic groups speaking dialects related to Persian started to migrate up in the mountains. This move accelerated under the Sassanians (3rd to 7th centuries AD). Lahij is well known for its extensive range and skills in crafts making. Someday I hope to visit. For now I can check out the Azerbaijan Cultural Center which I recently discovered in my neighborhood!

The religious communities there today range from Persian, Sunni, Shiite, Armenian Christian, to Mountain Jews. Syncretism describes the fusion of these and other diverse religious beliefs. 

Read more about Lahij here.

Ecclesiastical Fashion Show From Fellini's Roma.

Roma, 1972.

I love everything, everything about this. I can't stop watching this clip. The Nino Rota music is so cool and the over the top yet humorous staging is all at once enchanting, terrifying, and completely removed from reality. Plus rollerskating clergy!

It's the Etruscan She-Wolf! Before Romulus and Remus were added.

At the upscale brothel. I love this outfit. 

What a great inspiration for costuming and drama and of course, our upcoming Odyssey through Italy and Greece. Pre-travels we are supplementing our study of Italian language with some classic films, especially ones that we haven't seen. Alex recommended Roma, but I wasn't too interested until I saw a few later scenes such as the above and also the part where they discover ancient frescos while working on Rome's underground system. A drill crashes through a hollow wall and the oxygen streaming in destroys every painted surface in a matter of seconds. That scene broke my heart. I always get into a panic when artwork is in jeopardy. Once we watched Ararat, which I wanted to see because it centers on Armenian artist Arshile Gorky (of course, the art subplot was just a vehicle for a Genocide film). But in Atom Egoyan's film, one of the Gorky paintings gets knifed in a museum. I had to cover my eyes in anger and despair. There is also some footage of the medieval Armenian churches, especially Aghtamar in Lake Van. The church is on an island now ruled by Turkey. Standing before Mount Ararat, site of the great Noah's ark, this church has the most incredible (and the oldest) exterior reliefs.

Aghtamar, Church of the Holy Cross, 10th century. Palantine church of Vaspurakan king, Gagik I.

Mid Semester Scenarios

It's time to descend into the piles of books (only 29 this semester!). I have a rough draft due in...nevermind. The object of inquiry is an Armenian folio that has no previous scholarship. No state of the literature. It's all up to me. Next to Cambridge, in Watertown, we are lucky to have an Armenian Library and Museum (ALMA). This is where several pages (including mine) from what may have been a Gospel Book were donated. Watertown, or as I like to call it, Armenia, is also the second largest Armenian community in America. One of my favorite things about going for a visit is checking out the food shops. The best feta cheese and other Middle Eastern treats.

I am excited to get into this, my last project here at Tufts. In addition to my research this semester, I am working with our Africanist as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. For their first paper, many of the students have chosen to write on masks. I especially like this one: a 19th or 20th century Mukudj Mask from Gabon.

Ripoll

Today I graded fifteen papers and submitted a proposal for a conference that takes place in Spain, close to where my beloved Ripoll stands! Productive, exhilarating day. It would be just fantastic if I were to receive an offer to present. It's a long shot, I know, and the first of many.

Thrilling, nonetheless.