Charoq-Duzi: Ancient Persian handicraft

Charoq-Duzi is the art of weaving Charoq which is traditional footwear or shoe worn mostly by village residents and shepherds.

The traditional Persian art is pursued in the Iranian city of Quchan in Razavi Khorasan Province as well as in some regions of North Khorasan Province.  

Charoq weaving reportedly dates back to the Sassanid dynasty and flourished during the Safavid dynasty.

Charoq is worn with the laces twisted around the ankles of the feet.  

Also, Charoq has appeared in Persian literature as Rumi mentioned it centuries ago in his poem ‘Muses and the Shepherd’.

In the poem, the shepherd prays to God that he will sew God Charoq and comb His hair.

Sham, Patabeh, and Palik are other names for Charoq.

Unlike other cities, North Khorasan Charoqs are made of one piece of leather and there is no right or left foot in a pair.

Men's and women's shoes are identical; the only difference is size. 

The skill of making Charoq has been inscribed on iran's national heritage list.

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