Gamaj: Traditional clay pot of Iran’s Gilan Province

Pottery is one of the oldest handicrafts of the Iranian northern province of Gilan.

Many pottery artifacts that belong to Iron Age can be found in Marlik, Talesh, Deylaman and Amlash regions which prove the age-long use of this practice.

As a major center of pottery in Iran, Gilan potteries are distinguished across the country, owing to their terracotta color that derives from the earth being rich of Iron components.

Another feature of the potteries of Gilan is that they were more created for practical uses and less for decoration. Gilan is one of few regions where you can find many pottery utensils.  

One of the most known is Gamaj, a spherical clay pot with a cap in the shape of a cone, and a convex bottom that usually comes in a green glaze.

Gamaj adds to the flavor of the dish by keeping the nutrients intact, which gives an extra magical taste to the food.

Most of the potters of Gilan are women. Men usually prepare the clay. Their pottery tools are simple and hand-made. Preparing the clay is very exhausting, and consists of multiple levels.

There is also this delicious and fragrant local food called Gamaj Kebab which is cooked in Gamaj. The food, which is cooked only and only in the Gamaj, has many fans across the country.

In the attached video, you can see a lady named Atiyeh who runs a local pottery shop in Jirdeh, a village located in Gilan. Since she has become famous for her handmade Gamaj, her husband and friends are there to help her.

MM/FM