The function of textiles in the tntangible cultural heritage of Gilan province; Case study of mourning and feast rituals

The customs and rituals of the people of Gilan province are part of their intangible identity and heritage, which are studied in this article in two areas of mourning and feasts. Textiles can always have different uses in these rituals, and the study of textiles in the rituals of the province determines their function. 1480 works have been nationally registered in the list of intangible cultural heritage, of which 55 works belong to Gilan province. Seven of the recorded rituals in which textiles are used have been studied as the statistical population of the study. Three of them are in the field of mourning rituals and four are in the field of feasting rituals. This article seeks to answer how textiles are used in mourning and feasting rituals registered in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Gilan province. To achieve this goal, first the type of textiles, color, function, purpose and method of using textiles as research variables are determined, then the variables in the statistical population are studied by library and field researches. The present article is descriptive-analytical. The results show that textiles are used in mourning rituals as means to grant wishes as well as cover. Textiles are also used in various forms in feasts as means for ritual begging, distinction, cover, reminder, offer, giving information, prevention of malice, reaching goals, gift, decoration, storage as well as reward.