Kalpourgan Village: live clay museum

Kalpourgan is an ancient village in the southeastern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

The village is known as a live historically rich museum of female pottery-makers in the world.

With only some 300 inhabitants, Kalpourgan has a history in the art of pottery that dates back to more than 7,000 years ago.

What makes this village unique is that the rich history of pottery making belongs to women who create artifacts out of dust and mud, using only their hands without any mechanical tools.

Men are not directly involved in this process, except for some tasks like preparing the clay. Every step of the way is only handled by women.

They produce all types of potteries, ranging from bowls and vessels to cups with the most primitive colors and patterns which make them look as ancient as those unearthed in the region.

Established more than 44 years ago, Kalpourgan Clay Living Museum is located in the heart of the village and provides a great chance to be involved in the creative process of pottery-making.

In the museum, one can find rural women going through the process of pottery making, which enables the visitors to follow the whole process closely.

Kalpourgan is the first village of handicraft in the world registered on World Crafts Council (WCC) List.

MM/MG