Vintage Shia prayer or Janamaz kilim from Iran. 80x53 cms

An unusual vintage Shia prayer rug, or janamaz kilim, featuring a highly graphic and realistic depiction of a mosque—more in the style of Sunni prayer kilims and rugs. Perhaps the weaver was influenced by Afghan refugee Baluch prayer rugs. However, in terms of size, the dark brown wool symbolizing the earth, and its weaving technique, this small janamaz clearly belongs to the Shia prayer rug tradition.

Where the main field of a prayer kilim would normally contain only subtle references indicating its devotional purpose, in this example it is dominated by a large mosque with two minarets and an unusual blue roof. The façade of the mosque is depicted with a large kilim-like covering, perhaps intended to represent the carpeted floor of the mosque. In the central tower, the word “Allah” is woven. The extensive use of green is characteristic of prayer rugs and kilims.

This janamaz still retains its original fringes intact, suggesting it was likely never used. This is further supported by the fluffy wool pile, which shows no visible signs of wear.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size:   80×53 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran

Date of weaving: 2010s

A janamaz is a prayer rug or mat used by Muslims to define a clean space for prayer. The word janamaz combines Persian/Urdu terms meaning place of prayer.

Within Shia practice, the emphasis in prayer is often on placing the forehead on natural earth or clay (turbah) rather than on a conventional textile rug.

It is generally accepted that Shia Muslims, unlike Sunnis, do not use specifically designed kilims or prayer rugs as they pray directly on any rug, cloth, the ground, a stone or on a Turbah (or Mohr in Persian).

However, during the last 26 years on my frequent trips to southern Iran, I have repeatedly found that Shia Muslims in southern Iran use a type of small kilim that acts as a Janamaz or prayer kilim. I have acquired some of these tiny kilims directly from the person who used them for prayer and have been confirmed on numerous occasions that this type of kilim is used during prayer.

The small size of these prayer kilims is due to their function of covering the ground only in the area where the faithful will rest their head. The material used is always wool, which, in most cases, is left in its natural undyed colour, representing the earth. It is also significant that many of these kilims have been woven from camel wool in the central field.