On March 17, within the scope of the Art Օpens Doors project, a new “Arvestanots”, Puppet making was held at the the Voskeporik development center.The staff of the center aimed to introduce children to the wonderful qualities, interesting appearance and structure of the Aklatiz doll or Pas Pap.
Aklatiz, Akhaloch, Akhloch, Akhatsel, Akheluts, Aklatiz, Gogoroz, Khukhulich, Khuluchik, Mormoroz, Mrmras, Metspas, Vorojbek, Freak doll of Great Fast. Aklatiz’s names are different in different regions. The Great Fast ritual doll symbolizes the period of patriarchy, masculine strength and Great Fast days. He appears in the morning of the Great fast, bringing with him a series of rituals that are supposed to ensure fertility and fruitfulness. Aklatiz is made by the oldest woman in the house, secretly.
Along with their mothers, the children of the center got acquainted with this story, the art of making ritual dolls, and the way of making the Aklatiz doll.The doll was an onion with 7 feathers attached to it. The feathers symbolized the seven weeks of the Fast. With each passing week, one feather has been removed. Aklatiz was a strict character. People would hang 48 stones to his hands, which symbolized the 48 days of the Great Fast.
If anyone broke the Fast, Aklatiz would hit them with a stone.
The participants of the “Arvestanots” made the Aklatiz doll with their hands. The process was accompanied by national songs and music.
This process was a great excitement for the children, and they participated in the ritual with all their heart and soul, with smiles and joy. Eventually, everyone took home the Aklatiz they had made.
