Khinalug

The village was included in the Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and "Köç Yolu" Transhumance Route UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

[5] In 2007 Aliyev established Khinalug State historical-architectural and ethnographic reserve by presidential decree, to preserve the unique appearance, language and customs of the village.

[2] On 24 March 2024 historian Bettany Hughes was quoted linking the women of Khinalug with the ancient reports of the Amazons, woman warriors at the edge of the known world.

This area abounds with the richest traditions linked to rain and land cultivation coupled with a special attitude to domestic animals, weddings and funerals, as well as to celestial bodies.

In the past, chukha, a shawl made of wool, was a national costume worn by the richer people in the villages.

Wool socks which look like a mini carpet of many colours are widely worn because it is impossible to imagine Khinaliq residents in winter.

In Khinaliq, households use environmentally friendly natural fuel, made of manure, and usually stored in piles of cubes or bricks called tezek in Azerbaijani.

Local elders relate that the priest who lived in this Temple was called "Piajomard" and that he used to watch an eternal flame burning there.

In order to learn the Khinalug language, a special branch of the Institute of Linguistics of the USSR was established in the village in the 20th century.

These films show young boys with heads fully shaven except for a long braided single tress that hangs from the top.

In the 12th century, Abu Muslim had started to preach about Islam in the region, and thus, the Juma Mosque built at that time is named after him.

In the oldest part of the village with Zoroastrian traces is situated is the Burj sanctuary, which was built in the 7th century, and is only attended during Muslim religious celebrations.

The legend about Ateshgah relates that a shepherd, who came here on a freezing day with his flock, had collected a lot of wood with which to make a bonfire.

However, as he made it, the entire area was suddenly ablaze: the terrified shepherd kissed the stones and started to pray to the Almighty.

One of the summits of Mount Tufandag is 4062.8 meters above sea level and is named after Chingiz Mustafayev, the journalist killed on the frontline and a National Hero of Azerbaijan.

To learn about the history of Khynalyg and its ancient artifacts, one may visit the Historical-ethnographic museum of Khinalug village, which was established in 2001.

In two sections of the Museum, which has a total area of 160 m2 one can see traditional earthenware, clothes, carpets, household tools, coins, and weapons, as well as photographs of famous representatives of the village.

[9] Atashgah (atash-kadeh), a Zoroastrian fire temple with a natural flame, located ~5 km far from the village, at an altitude of ~ 3000 m above sea level, on the spur of the mountain Shahdag, at the foot of the Gizil-gaya rock.

The temple was restored on the site of the former ruins by the efforts of the World Zoroastrian Organization and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in 2016.

Adam Olearius, a German traveler of the 17th century: "...During which time they also drive their Cattel towards the Mountain of Elbours, where they find not only a more temperate air, but also as good Meadow-ground as any in all Persia.

It was upon this Mountain of Elbours, as it is reported, that the Persians kept and antiently Worshiped their perpetual Fire: but now there is not the least track to be seen of it, neither there, nor near Jesche, though Texeira, and those who follow him, would have us believe the contrary.

True indeed it is, that there are, to this day, in the Indies, certain Religious men, who have a Veneration for the Fire, and keep it in with the same care that the Persians did here to fore..."[14] As it follows from the description and the map, Olearius called Mount Shahdag as Elburs.

[9] Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and "Köç Yolu" Transhumance Route were added to the UNESCO World Heritage sites list in September 2023.

This cultural landscape is comprised of the high-mountain Khinalig village in northern Azerbaijan, high-altitude summer pastures and agricultural terraces in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, winter pastures in the lowland plains in central Azerbaijan, and the connecting 200-kilometre-long seasonal transhumance route called Köç Yolu ("Migration Route").

The organically evolved network including ancient routes, temporary pastures and camping sites, mausoleums, and mosques illustrates a sustainable eco-social system adapted to extreme environmental conditions

Panorama
View in August 2009
Xinaliq, Azerbaijan, March 2023
masonry detail, Xinaliq, Azerbaijan
Xinaliq, Azerbaijan, March 2023
mosque interior, Xinaliq, Azerbaijan
Khinalug museum
Khinalig village
Restored atash-kadeh of Khinalig