Namakdan-Bafi: Ancient Persian handicraft

Namakdan-Bafi (namakdan weaving) is one of the ancient handicrafts made by nomadic and rural women of Iran’s Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.  

The final product, known as a woven saddlebag, is used to store supplies of salt, oats, grains of wheat, oats and beans, among others.

Nomadic people put the salt in Namakdan and hang it in a corner of their tents for cooking. Since ground salt is very hard to prepare, it is important to keep them in something that is designed in a way the salt does not pour out.

In Persian culture, salt is a valuable blessing, associated with thankfulness. Iranians frequently refer to worthless individuals who use salt yet break the salt container with the saying "Namak Nashnas" (a person who does not appreciate Namak).

The form and design of Namakdan are proof of its importance as a valuable and even holy object. It consists of a body and a head, which makes it look like a prayer rug.

Namakdan is woven on looms and is predominantly green, blue, dark red, yellow, and brown in color.

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

Charoq-Duzi

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