A Dialogue Between Nature and Culture: An Ethnography of the Talesh People's Calling Tradition

Abstract

This thesis examines khele, a calling tradition of the Taleshi people in Iran, who primarily live in the county of Talesh in Gilan province, located on the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea. Rooted in the region's diverse geography, which includes coastal areas, plains, foothills, and mountains, khele initially served as a practical communication tool for ranching, farming, and fishing activities. Over time, khele developed into a cultural practice performed at local concerts, representing the Taleshi nomadic and agricultural lifestyle and evoking memories of rural life. This research explores how khele reflects the social, occupational, and emotional aspects of the Taleshi rural life, highlighting the people's relationship with their environment. It also investigates how khele contributes to the formation of cultural identity, memory, and a sense of belonging and well-being among the Taleshi communities. To examine these dynamics, I employed an ethnographic approach that included observational ethnography, netnography, soundscape recordings, and interviews (individual, feedback, and walking) conducted in the living and working places of the Taleshi people over a period of 12 months. The findings demonstrate that khele acts in different ways: practically for communication, emotionally for self-expression, and symbolically in cultural performances. Khele is an important cultural marker that connects the community to the past through memory, sound and place. This thesis also demonstrates how khele has changed in response to urbanization and technological changes, shifting from a daily tool to a cultural symbol in performances and gatherings. This shift highlights the resilience of the Taleshi people, who have preserved their cultural heritage while adapting to modern life. This thesis contributes to ethnomusicology, anthropology and sound studies by providing a conceptual framework for understanding traditional and transformed calls, and demonstrating how calling traditions shape cultural and ecological understandings. It highlights the role of soundscape and landscape in constructing cultural meaning and memory, while also providing insights into the broader impact of sound in human-environment interactions. This work shows how khele represents the sonic world of the Taleshi people and contributes to the ongoing transformation of their cultural heritage. Show more