"Tandoor"
Tandoor –It is the traditional baking oven used for centuries in various regions of Azerbaijan. This cylindrical-shaped oven, dug into the ground, is made from clay, straw, and river stones. Wood is burned inside to create high temperatures. The bread, known as tandoor bread, is baked by being stuck to the inner wall of the tandoor. It is not only a staple food but also a symbol of the people’s livelihood and prosperity. The tandoor is sometimes used to cook meat and poultry as well, making it a traditional clay oven.
In modern times, craftsmen primarily prepare two types of tandoors: above-ground and underground. The bread baked in the tandoor is considered a symbol of longevity and is an inseparable part of the daily diet of the Azerbaijani people. Such bread stays fresh for a long time without spoiling and can be consumed for several days.
In Azerbaijan, bread is a symbol of hospitality, family unity, and abundance. The process of tandoor baking and bread making strengthens unity and solidarity among people and contributes to the preservation of traditions and beliefs. Knowledge about tandoor craftsmanship is passed down from generation to generation, mainly through observation and experience. The secrets of bread making are shared orally within the family, through teaching and hands-on experience, to the younger generations. Young women and men follow the process, helping each other, thereby gaining experience.
At the 19th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in the capital of Paraguay, Asunción, the national nomination titled “Tandoor Craftsmanship and Bread Making in Azerbaijan” was successfully included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
