Collection: Armenian Harvest & Ghapama

Harvest designs built around ghapama, the pumpkin Armenians stuff and bake, alongside the pomegranate, the grape and the tree of life. These are pieces for the months between the grape harvest and Armenian Christmas — woven blankets and wall tapestries, pillows and mugs, most of which can carry a name in Armenian.

Questions about this collection

What is ghapama?

A whole pumpkin, hollowed out and filled with rice, butter and honey, dried figs, apricots, prunes and raisins, walnuts and almonds, then baked. It is usually eaten as a dessert, brought to the table whole and opened in front of everyone.

When do Armenians eat it?

In autumn, to mark the harvest. It also appears at Christmas, New Year, Easter and weddings — which is why these designs are not only an autumn collection. A ghapama piece is as much at home on a table on 6 January as in October.

Is there really a song about it?

Yes. “Hey Jan Ghapama” is the only song in the Armenian Folk Song Treasury written about a food. Most people know it from Harout Pamboukjian, and from the film My Big Armenian Wedding. The song is about neighbours arriving at the smell of it and staying until the dish is finished.

Why pomegranates and grapes alongside the pumpkin?

Both belong to the same season and, in the case of dried fruit and nuts, to the dish itself. The figs, raisins and walnuts in these designs are what goes inside a ghapama.

Can these be personalized?

Most can. Enter the name or short text you want added — Latin letters or Armenian. The Armenian is written out and emailed to you to approve before anything is printed or woven.

Are these made in Armenia?

The designs draw on Armenian heritage and cooking, but the pieces are produced to order by our US-based production partners rather than manufactured in Armenia.

See also: Pomegranate & Haykakan Symbols, Blankets & Throws and Mugs. Read more: The Armenian Harvest Table: From Blessed Grapes to Ghapama, Hey Jan Ghapama: The Armenian Song About a Pumpkin, The Blessing of the Grapes and Armenian Church Bazaar Season: What It Funds and Who It Helps.