Tradition of "Qavaam"

The beginning of the article: The tradition of Qavaam is deeply entrenched and widely embraced among carpet vendors and shopkeepers within the carpet industry. In this esteemed custom, a seasoned carpet merchant acquires the carpet, remitting the agreed-upon sum to the vendor. This experienced seller takes on the responsibility of purchasing the carpet to prevent unjustified price hikes and to deter the vendor from overestimating its value, which could otherwise lead to an unwarranted escalation in the selling price.

Photo by: Mr. Mojtaba Jafarloo

The carpet merchants in attendance, functioning as collaborative stakeholders in the carpet acquisition process at the designated location, submit distinct proposals subsequent to payment being facilitated by their duly appointed representative, persisting until the most advantageous tender is formally accepted. Ultimately, the final buyer allocates the additional amount added to the initial price of the carpet, in proportion to the offers submitted, and acquires the carpet for their own possession.

Photo by: Mr. Mojtaba Jafarloo

To illustrate this, imagine a scenario where a carpet is procured for 10 million rials in Iran. After the purchase, each of the partners present tenders a bid. The first participant submits a sum of one hundred million rials. The second individual proposes two hundred million rials, and in this manner, the sequence unfolds, with each successive offer eclipsing the preceding one. As the process progresses, the participants, one after another, become reluctant to proceed with the purchase. Eventually, the profit devolves upon the last individual, who is thereby established as the ultimate purchaser. The ultimate buyer, founded upon the last tendered price, apportions the profit from the final amount amongst the proposers and participants, thus ensuring that all stakeholders reap the rewards of the profit generated by the carpet. The name of this long-standing tradition is "Qavaam."

Photo by: Mr. Mojtaba Jafarloo

Qavaam is a form of auction that shares similarities and differences with it. The affinity between Qavaam and auctions is exemplified by the fact that the individual who submits the highest bid is ultimate victor and acquires the item. Conversely, a notable divergence between Qavaam and auctions lies in the reality that participants in an auction, assuming the role of buyers, do not derive any pecuniary profit or financial advantages from their participation. In the esteemed tradition of Qavaam, each participant receives from the ultimate buyer the amount they had bid and contributed to the carpet. Typically, seasoned experts in the realm of carpets partake in Qavaam to safeguard others from potential disadvantage, stemming from their inexperience.

Photo by: Mr. Mojtaba Jafarloo

"Trustworthiness"

The tradition of trustworthiness has long been a revered custom and a prevailing aspect of the culture among the merchants of Zanjan. In times gone by, in the absence of banks and comparable institutions, merchants would place their money, jewelry, and precious possessions in the hands of reliable and trustworthy compatriots when embarking on lengthy journeys, such as pilgrimages. The esteemed and trustworthy merchants also upheld this tradition with utmost diligence and without any expectation of reward. Indeed, they embraced their moral duty and found profound satisfaction in the trust reposed in them and the integrity they upheld. One of the esteemed merchants and custodians, who stands as a symbol of trustworthiness in the Grand Bazaar of Zanjan, is the renowned "Master Hassan Nal'chegar."

Photo by: Mr. Hamid Reza Bazargani

He practiced the noble craft of Nal'chegari in the lower bazaar (The shoeing of horses, mules, and donkeys-a practice that was once prevalent in the bazaars of olden times). One day, an officer from the police department entrusted a bicycle to him for safekeeping in front of his shop, with the promise of returning the following day to reclaim it. However, that return never came to pass. For forty years, Master Hassan Nal'chegar maintained this bicycle as a cherished custody in his shop, awaiting the return of its owner, until he ultimately passed away, leaving the bicycle as a lasting symbol. Whenever inquired about the owner of the bicycle and why he refrained from using it, Master Hassan Nal'chegar would simply respond, "This bicycle is entrusted to me." Following the demise of Master Hassan Nal'chegar, the entrusted bicycle was prominently exhibited in the pedestrian walkway of Sabzeh Meydan, at the city's core, serving as a timeless emblem of the merchants' integrity in Zanjan.

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This article was prepared at the suggestion of the Board of Directors of the Grand bazaar of Zanjan.

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This article was contributed by Mr. Akbar Karimi the international reporter for Arirang Culture Connect and the Founder and Managing Director of the Samte Ganjineye Ghoghnoos Cultural Artistic Institute in Iran. His leadership in preserving and promoting Iranian intangible cultural heritage along with his extensive experience in cultural artistic research and his active participation in international forums such as UNESCO and ICCN enriches his contributions to the global cultural dialogue.

Translated by: Miss. Fereshte Abdi