Kubra Aliyeva, professor, Doctor of Art Study,

Honored Arts Worker.

The chief of department
“The Art and Architecture of Caucasian Albania”
(Baku, Azerbaijan).
E-mail: aliyeva_kubra@mail.ru

AZERBAIJAN MUGAM. THE ORIGINS OF ITS ANCIENT AND TRADITION

(according archeological materials)

SUMMARY

In this article, dedicated to problem of Azerbaijani mugam very serious conclusion is

drawn. According it mugam was created by Manna, later- by Median and Zoroasrtrian
oracles as a hymn, which was sung by magicians for centuries. All these mugams were
dedicated to сelestial bodies – “Ahura Mazda”. To author’s mind it would be more right
to call “mugam” the “magam”, because in Persian magam means “magician’s hymns”.
The author of article confirms this opinion by the fact that the word “mug” translated from
Persian means fire-worshipper, and the word “mugam” means the song of mugs-fire-
worshippers.
Key words: Zoroastrism, temple, celestial bodies, fire-worship, hymn.

The origin of Azerbaijani mugam goes back to very ancient times and its connected with
Zoroastrism world outlook. Zoroastrism is ancient religion of our ancestors. It’s known, that at
the end of III millennium B.C. in south-western regions of Azerbaijan, namely in some regions
of Iranian Kurdistan the alliance of Lullubians and Gutian tribes was formed. Lullubians
inhabited the south-west part of that territory, but Gutians lived northward of them. Gutians
occupied and kept for some time Mesopotamia- the state in southern part of the Tigris and
the Euphrates valley. Eastward of that valley was inhabited by Kassites tribes. All mentioned
ethnoses took part in forming of ancient Azerbaijani ethnos with Turkic genesis. (1, 130) The
worship the seven luminaries and Zoroastrism that arose on its basis, was in our opinion, the
oldest religion of Azerbaijan, characteristic for pre-class, tribal society. So, the mentioned
part of Manna and Media, where Atropatene later arose is the birthplace of Zoroastrism.

To many researchers’ mind, the Persians, who came here only in the IX century B.C. and
occupied Media in V century B.C., were not Zoroastrians initially. But the magicians,
representatives of the Median tribe, from which the oracles caste of the Medes, and later the
Persians was formed were Zoroastrians. This religion testifies the fact that, long before B.C. the
ancient Azerbaijanis were engaged in the study of stars and had certain cosmological
imaginations.

In the book “Dabestani al-mazahib” by Mohsen Fani, who referred to “Akhteristan”, written
earlier, the author also asserted that the ancient Subians, tribes of Manna, perceived the stars
and the heavens as the ghosts of the holy souls of their ancestors, and that’s why worshipped
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seven luminaries. Each of seven stars corresponded to a specific talisman, stored in the house of
any person and they were attributed by magical meaning. Moreover, temples were erected for
each of the seven luminaries. Each temple was visited in a specific day of the week and at a
specific time. Inside the temples sculptural images of the corresponding luminaries were
placed.

L. Karimov in his famous book “Azerbaijani carpet” (section “Tag and Lachak” ) referring to
book by Mohsen Fani, gave indirectly an example from book “Dabestani al-Mazahib”. In
section, dedicated to fire-worshippers temples, seven planets and temples of idol worshippers
Mohsen Fani wrote: “The prophet of the Arabs (Muhammad) worships the statues, which
personify seven planets. Prophet ordered to patrol black statue ( famous black stone-L.K.)
which incarnates planet Saturn and is placed in Mecca (Кaaba)…..And any statue brought
from Kureishi, which did not represent the planet, was broken, destroyed. ... In a number of
temples of idol worshippers, Venus sculptures were made, similar to the mehrabs of mosques.
These mehrabs are nothing more than statues of Venus” [2, 109].

As you know, the Gutians tribes of Manna, were in power in Sumer for 125 years. Apparently,
then they brought Sumerians the religion of Zoroastrism. At that particular time in Sumer in
Ur, seven-tier ziggurats were erected. Ziggurat terraces were of different colors, e.g. black
(plastered), red (covered with burnt bricks), white (whitewashed), other colors were used
also”[3, 46]. Each tier repeated the color of the constellations. It turns out that during the vernal
equinox, i.e. in Novruz holiday, the Sumerians slaughtered a ram and painted walls with its
blood. It would be appropriate to repeat the story, told by Herodotus about such ziggurat,
erected in Agbatan (Hamadan, K. A.). Herodotus wrote: “When Medians decided to elect him
a governor of Media, then Deyoka ordered to construct a house for him. That building was
named “Agbatan, it had to be to be worthy of governor rank and his power, and was defended
by armed spearmen. Bowing the Medians to this, Deyoka ordered to construct the large strong
walls, called now "Agbatan." Moreover, one wall formed a ring, connected to another one.

It’s acropolis was installed in such way that one ring rose above the other one only by
its cogs. Such organizing of walls was achieved partly thanks to hilly ground and partly
thanks to professionalism of builders. In general, there werе seven rings of walls, and
governor’s palace and treasuries were placed here. The biggest of fortress walls is of the same
size, as devious walls in Athens. The cogs of first wall were of white color, the second one-
black, third- red, fourth -blue, fifth- of red color with orangey tone( surik). So, the cogs of
five walls are painted in such way. The cogs of one of last walls is of silver color, another
–one- golden color. [4, Herodotus, Cliо, 98-99, 54]. Greece sources present the world
outlook of magicians particularly widely. L. Diogenes, referring on Aristotle’s book about
magicians and on fifth book of Dio, wrote, that magicians were not busy by magic things. It
was Zoroaster who was the first magus, who worshipped stars. These ideas were also
confirmed by Hermodorus. [5, 65].

It’s known, that both in Azerbaijan and beyond it the scientists, investigating Zoroastrism,
think that it’s religion of Persians and its connected with fire-worship. But archeological
materials prove, that Zoroastrism is most ancient religion of Azerbaijanis. Ancient
population of Azerbaijan studied heavenly sphere and had their own (may be some
primitive) imaginations about planets. Zoroaster himself, who was considered as prophet of
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new faith was astrologer scientist and studied the astral world. It’s not coincidentally that
ancient Greeks associated the name “Zoroaster” with notion “astron”, i.e. star. So, in classical
sources Zoroaster is pictured as wiseman-astrologer and skywatcher. [6, 4].

In the minds of many Iranist scientists Zoroaster lived V century B.C. and was Persian
magician, fire-worshipper.
As you know, the king of the Medes of Astyages gave his daughter Mandana in marriage to the
rich Persian Cambyses on the advice of magicians. This fact is fixed by Herodotus in his work
“The Histories” [4]. Within that marriage a son named Cyrus (Kurush in Persian) is born, who,
having captured Media, conquered Asia Minor, Babylon to the Mediterranean coast.

Outstanding English scientist Mary Boys , author of number of books about Zoroastrism wrote
about it: “In 509 B.C. Persians under the lidership of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia
(Achaemenids dynasty), the bridegroom (MISTAKE, К.А.) of Median king, governed that
time, rebelled and won Medians. So, first Persian Empire was found but in that empire
medians continued to play very important role ….. The information, given by ancient
authors let suppose that in period when Persians faced with Greeks in Minor Asia, they were
Zoroastrians already. Having known from them about Zoroaster, Greeks logically
considered him as Persian prophet and “great magician”. Thus, Hermodor and Hermippus of
Smyrna thought, that Zoroaster lived five millenniums before Trojan War. Xanthias Lydian
thought that Zoroaster lived six millenniums before invasion of Xerxes into Greece. Besides,
Aristotle thought that Zoroaster lived six millenniums before his teacher Plato. To M. Boys’
mind Zoroaster and his people lived in extreme antiquity, even in Stone age. [7, 18] Our
research proves that in ancient times Zoroastrism was not associated with fire worship and
Zoroaster did not live in V century BC, as many scientists say. Plots of ceramic vessels found on
the territory of Azerbaijan prove that Zoroastrism is connected with celestial bodies and is the
archetypal worldview of Azerbaijanis.

Ceramic vessels with a very interesting plot, which will be discussed below, were discovered by
archaeologist E. A. Resler at the end of the XIX century, in the burial mounds of Kilikdag, the
Saryal mountain range, located in 2 km apart south-east direction from the modern Geigel
(formerly Khanlar) region of Azerbaijan. Excavations in these mounds were continued almost 40
years later, by archaeologist Y. I. Hummel. Excavations were carried out by the Institute of
History of Az. SSR Academy of Sciences filiation in 1936 -1939.

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 Picture 1: Astrological plot, demonstrating the vernal equinox – beginning of spring and Novruz
holiday.

Three of these vessels were found by Y.I. Hummel in burial mound № 79, one another was
found in the nearest burial mound. We have also information about two other vessels found
in burial mound №2 not far from Khanlar. In general there six vessels were found. These
vessels are with similar plot pictures, but they differ from each other by form. Three of them
are made in form of bowl, two vessels are made in firm of jug with straight, high neck
without handle. The vessels are made mainly from two kinds of clay- of black-brown and of
yellow–brown color. The ornament consists of figurines of human and animals, the pictures
are placed on vessels body and are performed in stylized manner. These figurines are repeated
in rhythmical alternation. So, in Eneolithic epoch ornament got stylized character and had
definite semantic and religious meaning. That’s why it affords to compare these ornaments
with pictography. The stable range of motifs, characteristic for décor of vessels surface is
defined in Eneolithic epoch already, e.g. ceramics are dated by V- beginning of IV
millennium, found in Goy-Tepe (Southern Azerbaijan). Ceramics found in Kilikdag continues
this tradition both by interpretation and by plot.

Professor Y.I. Hummel, touching on the plot of the ceramics we are interested in, put forward the
idea that on these things the hunting scene were pictured. [8, 39]. Azerbaijani scientist-
researcher M.A. Huseynova in her monograph also believes that these plots are the hunting
scenes. [9, 77]. The plot of ceramic vessels is following: stylized picture of human, standing
face forward with open hands, the body of human consists of two triangles, his head is
pictured in form of round luminous element. In left hand the human has cosmic instrument in
form of bow, directed to stylized horned sheep: above the instrument the Sun is pictured.
The manner of human figurines picturing on the vessels practically does not change, only the
head part changes, where either a round element with spirals ascending from it, filled with dotted
lines, or a swastika is pictured. In the composition also the elements of the tree of life, triangles,
rhombuses are included. In our opinion, these plots are far from the hunting scenes, they are
purely of astral character and are connected with the ancient imaginations of our ancestors.
The human figurine shows the astrologer, who points to the figure of a mountain sheep with a
special tool.
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The fact that the instrument is astronomical one is proved by the image of a stylized Sun
pictured over the instrument. The mountain ram is also celestial. I.e. its interpretation suggests
that the ram is not earthly, but cosmic one, because a dotted spiral line above the head and
under the legs is its main feature. In other words, these vessels are religious – magical attributes,
which were used by our ancient ancestors in the spring ceremonies of Novruz. As you know, the
ancestors of the ancient Azerbaijanis, as well as the nomads of Central Asia, had a good
knowledge of astronomy and observed the movement of the celestial bodies, and above all, the
visible movement of the Sun across the celestial sphere.

Alike astronomers of various countries of the ancient world, ancient Azerbaijanis divided the
starry sky into four parts, each of which had seven constellations that had their own symbolism.
These symbols were represented by picture of a certain animal, color, season. Once a year,
the Sun, crossing the celestial equator, enters the point of the celestial equinox, i.e. in Aries
constellation. This moment of the Sun crossing the sky equator coincides with March 20 or 21.
As you know, this day was the first day of the Novruz holiday. So, the plots and images on these
vessels are namely pictures of the Novruz holiday beginning [10, 168 171]. It is no coincidence
that among the ancient Greeks the name Zoroaster was associated with the concept of “Astron”,
i.e. a star. Therefore, in ancient sources Zoroaster is portrayed as a wiseman - astrologer and
skywatcher [6, 4]. It is not unthinkable, that the image of an astrologer on ceramics from
Kilikdag could be associated with the image of Zoroaster. So, we can come to conclusion, that
Azerbaijan is birthplace of Zoroastrism, but not fire-worship. Zoroastrism was connected with
celestial bodies, and the magicians, who formed the oracles castе were the main bearers
of Zoroastrian traditions and ceremonies. As for text of Avesta, it was written on the animal
leather in period of Achaemenid dynasty, from hearsay of Indian magicians and was enlarged
by Indian Vedas canons. So, in that texts real matter of Zoroastrism religion is represented
very little.

Herodotus also touched the religious celebratory ceremonies of ancient magicians. Ancient
Greek scientist pointed out, that during sacrificial offerings, religious ceremonies, holidays
and when the ruler swore an oath to the throne, magicians entered the triumphal assembly
singing “theogonies”, blessing the governors. [11, 174].

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M. Boyce, talking about the ancient part of the “Avesta”, pointed out that “Ghats are the
songs of the prophet, and sections of the Avesta adjoined to them by time and language were
preserved (verbally by K. A.), at first in the steppe regions of the Plateau of Iran for a thousand
years and more, before the beginning of the new historical period and the creation of more
stable and strong states, such as the Median and Achaemenid ”[7, 289]. In other words, the true
“Avesta” consists of hymns and magicians knew the sacred and liturgical texts by heart since
childhood and always said them from memory. The fact that magicians and people who
accepted the Zoroastrian worldview sang hymns could be confirmed by the carpet that was
found from the Altai Mountains.

Its known, that in 1947-1949 in excavations carried out in Altai Mountains with the lead of
professor S. Rudenko one, unique carpet almost of quadrant form, saved very well in ever-
frost conditions and several pileless carpets were found. The admirable composition, the
clearness of colors, realistic interpretation of pictures, found in 2, 4, and 5 Pazirik grave-
mounds confirm the high professional level of ancient carpet-makers, who mastered the
technique of “complicated threading” and “knitting” . As a matter of fact, these technical
methods were applied for centuries in many countries of Middle East, including Azerbaijan.
Our investigation demonstrated, that pileless carpets, especially kilims with plot pictures, were
woven namely in the territory of Ancient Manna (as professor S. Rudenko supposed). [12,
75-76]. In the same time, we cannot agree with professor S. Rudenko in connection with his
interpretation of kilim plots. E.g. talking about the Median kilim (picture. 1), on which two
stylized women are pictured in profile, the scientist affirmed, that these women are worshiping
fire in prayer poses. In his book S.Rudenko shows reconstructed picture with an incense-
burner in the center. S.Rudenko also suggests that the woman standing in front has flowers in
her hand, but it is not known in what occasion.
However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that having captured Media (V century
B.C.) Achaemenids, later-Sasanian dynasty accepted religion of Medians, along with their
traditions and clothes, but interpreted that religion in their own way, adding it new content.
So, Avestian prophet Ahura -Mazda became the God of Fire. Many researchers, including
A.O. Makovelski noted quite truly that “ faithful follower of Spitama Zoroaster’s doctrine,
were not fire-worshippers, in differ from supporters of old faith and from adherents of
Mazdaism, who honored the Divinity of Fire.” [13, 143].

To our mind the plot of this kilim is connected neither with the cult of fire and generally nor
with fire worship, which was the state religion of the Achaemenids and Sasanians. Besides, it
had nothing, connected with the true content of Zoroastrism. Having devoted all his life to the
creation of the history of Iranian tribes, genius poet Firdausi in “Shahnameh”, indirectly
affirms religious worldview of Persians. E.g. Firdausi describes the courage of Husheng, the
grandson of the great creator of the Achaemenid dynasty, Keumars. Husheng when killing a
wild serpent with a stone, missed, and the stone thrown by him run against a rock and inflamed.

Shah said
The rock got strong beat and broke
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And touching the stone it produced the spark
The serpent survived but the secrecy uncovered
That in nature the stone is resource of fire
The governor bended the knees and held out the arms to the heavens
He said-praise God!
You granted me this light
From now it will be an altar for people;
And said- this light is fire of people
Now all over the world let everyone worship the fire…….

Talking about dispositions and traditions of Persians, Herodotus wrote: “ They are not
allowed to erect temples and sanctuaries: those who do it contrary to their rules and norms,
Persians call the “fool” [4, 71, Herodotus, Clio, 131]. According Zoroastrians’ beliefs,
Zoroaster himself received afflation from celestial luminaries when in celebration of spring
holiday Novruz went to the river to take water for “khaoma” (semeni). [7, 28].

Median magus studied Zoroaster’s doctrine very deeply. Basing on that doctrine, in folklore
sacred book “Avesta” was created. The content of “Avesta” is based on fight between Kind and
Evil, i.e. Ahura-Mazda and Angra-Mainyu. Ahura-Mazda orders to think, to speak and to do
well-meaning only.” In “Avesta” the highest-priority hymns, composed by Prophet himself were
collected. The repetition of all seventeen Ghats is included in ceremony of Zoroastrian
divine service. [6, 6] So, we can confirm, that women, pictured on the Median carpet, hold
not flowers ( as professor S.Rudenko thinks), but vessel with sacred drink “khaoma”. “Khoma”
is cooked from “semeni” (sprouted wheat) before the incoming of spring holiday. [15, 74-90].
On the carpet one of women is standing in front part, she clearly belongs to noble estate. On
her head something, reminded the corona is put on, under it long aftermath made from fabric
is seen. Both women are singing hymn “magam” dedicated to Ahura-Mazda, but they are not
worshipping the fire. This is where the roots of our mugam, which is the song of the Mages,
come from. The wide open mouths of women testify that they sing rather than pray. The woman
standing behind and simply dressed, obviously a servant, has a belt in her hands, which she is
going to put on her mistress. It is also one of the attributes of the act of Zoroastrism adopting . It
is not unlikely, that the custom of tying a red belt to brides, which has been preserved for
centuries in the wedding traditions of Azerbaijanis, is also associated with Zoroastrism. This belt
was used also by men until the end of the XIX and the beginning of the XX century. So, similar
belts, especially the “gursaks,” were the main element of the traditional national clothes of the
Azerbaijani men.

So, the archaeological material mentioned above proves that our ancient ancestors -
Zoroastrians worshipped seven luminaries and it is not unlikely that religious hymns sung by
magicians were dedicated to each individual luminary. And it is no coincidence that in
Azerbaijan there are 7 mugams, which were investigated by once by U. Hajibeyov.
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As a matter of fact, the famous poem by Nizami Ganjavi "Seven Beauties" (in Persian - Hefti -
peyker) is dedicated to the seven divine lights.

This is how Nizami Ganjavi describes it

Bahram saw seven palaces as seven planets

According planets each palace was of its own color
The first cupola, architect dedicated to Keyvan
It was covered by black stones, alike musk…… (Saturn)
That one which was marked by sign of Mushtari
Was totally covered by sandal inside and out (Jupiter)
But the palace, illuminated by Bahram in red light
Turned pink by purple, and was red at the root (Mars)
The palace which architect saw signs of Sun ( Sun)
Was bright yellow and burnt in gold
Well, that palace, fate of which was the crown of Venus
Sparkled by white marble as that crown (Venus)
But the palace, defended in heavens by Utarid
Burnt as turguoise alike Utarid burns in heavens (Mercury)
The palace, erected under the sign of young Selene
Was green as Shah’s happiness, as Spring attire (Moon)
Each queen chose the castle for herself
By her origin, color and fate…..
The interior in each of those palaces
Was of its immanent flavor and color……..
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Unfortunately, N. Ganjavi dedicated this poem not to the Medes, which were true owners of
Zoroastrism, but to the Sassanian dynasty, representatives of which were fire-worshipers.
Really, the Sassanid kings always walked from Madain to South Azerbaijan to worship the fire
God. Shamsaddin Sami wrote about it: “In Azerbaijan, between Maraga and Zеnjan, there was
an ancient town, majestic and well-appointed. He was famous for its fire worshipers temple and
numerous mines nearby.” [2, 111]. In period of Sassanians dynasty Zoroastrian temples
transformed into fire –worshipers temples, though partly saved their ancient buildings with
the symbol on temple domes. The Saturn was renamed into “Azermehr”, temple of Jupiter-
into “Azerbahram”, temple of Mars- into “Azernush”, temple of Sun- into “Azerain”, temple of
Venus- “Azerhazin”, temple of Mercury- “Azerbarzin”, the temple of Moon –“Azerzerdusht”.
[2, 111].

In Islamic period these temples, mainly the temple Sheikh Safi became the temples of Sufis
worship. [2, 111].

Indian fire-worshipper, Bombay, the temple of fire. M.Boys

I.e. the term “mugam” is translated as song of “ fire-worshippers mugs”. In the same time
Persian fire-worshippers Zoroastrians never sang, on contrary they never open the mouth in
order not to dishallow the sacred fire.

LITERATURE
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Научный журнал "Известия СОИГСИ. Школа молодых учёных". Владикавказ, 2015. Вып.
14. стр. 121-129.

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