Tow-Bafi: Ancient Persian handicraft

Tow-Bafi is the ancient Persian handicraft of Howleh-Bafi or towel making which has long been pursued by people of Khorashad village near Birjand in South Khorasan Province.

Among the products of Tow-Bafi, towels are the most common due to the softness and delicacy of the fabrics and their high absorbency of moisture.

This beautiful and valuable handwoven product of Khorashad village incorporates cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic yarns such as acrylic and woolen.

All steps of the manufacturing process for Tow-Bafi are performed by hand and foot using the traditional textile machine called ‘Chahar Verdi’.

Traditional dyeing and herbal pigments including pomegranate skin, walnut skin, onion skin, saffron, oranges, and stone grinds are used to make colorful yarns.

Tablecloths, clothing and shawls are other products of Tow-Bafi.

With a history that dates back 300 hundred years, Tow-Bafi was revived in 2004 by a group of women from Khorashad.

The largest share of Tow-Bafi production belongs to the weavers of this region.

The World Council of Handicraft registered Khorashad as the global village of Tow-Bafi.

More Persian handicrafts:

Rashti-Duzi

Korgi-Bafi

Haft-Rang tiles

Varni-Bafi

Papier-mache and lacquer work

Kapu weaving of Khuzestan

Pan-Bafi

Kiseh-Bafi

Darayi-Bafi

Aba-Bafi

Khorjin-Bafi

Chigh-Bafi

Sermeh-Douzi

Ihrami weaving

Gereh Chini

Varsho-Sazi

Shawl-Bafi

South Khorasan carpets

Qalamzani

Boroujerd nickel silverware

Monjugh-Duzi

Kalamkari

Pateh-Duzi

MM/AG