Varji Boat: Ancient heritage of Iran’s Bushehr

Varji is a wooden handmade type of light boat that was traditionally built in the southern Iranian province of Bushehr.

Varji was made with palm stems and wood and was used for daily fishing in shallow waters.   

As better tools were developed, people replaced them with heavier boats that could travel in deeper water to catch more fish.

The four-meter boats, which took several weeks to build, are no longer made in the province and have been replaced by fiberglass boats.

Making Varij in the past was considered a source of livelihood.

The manufacturing method of Varji, described as a forgotten heritage, was registered on Iran’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2019.

An old Varji is kept in the Cultural Heritage Department of Siraf Port.

Also read:

Building Iranian Lenj boats: A traditional skill in the Persian Gulf

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