The diverse handicrafts of Iran are the cradle of the cultural and artistic heritage of the country, which have their roots in religious and ethnic beliefs as well as the ingenuity and creativity of Iranian masters of art.
These crafts are spread in different parts of the Islamic Republic as the symbols of the customs of each ethnic group and region.
The following photos retrieved from ISNA are a selection of handicrafts from the South Khorasan province, including carpet weaving, needlework, towel weaving, felt making, traditional forging, woodwork, pateh needlework, barak weaving and traditional footwear making:
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Traditional needlework is an art to decorate the clothes, covers of the holy Quran, prayer rugs, tablecloths, curtains, cushions, baby clothes, wedding dress, etc.
The production of towels is still popular in many cities of South Khorasan such as Khusf, Nehbandan, Darmian, Sarayan, and Qaen. Birjand, particularly its Khorashad village, is one of the main towel manufacturing centres in the province.
Barak in local terms is called Korki, Kurgi or Kurgin. It is made of thick tissues of goats and camels’ wool. Barak is used in producing winter clothes which is unique in terms of strength and warmth.
Barak is the oldest handicraft in South Khorasan, dating back to the Seljuk era. The Sarbisheh region, especially the city of Nehbandan, Khusf and Boshruyeh, has been the main hub of the production of this cloth in the past. The people of this region are still trying to revive this art.
The production of felt in South Khorasan is limited to the creation of shepherds’ clothing, namely “Kapanak” – a cloth made from sheep wool.
Making different kinds of traditional footwear is one of South Khorasan’s traditional arts that people have been practicing since earlier times.
Traditional forging is also another craft practiced in South Khorasan. The traditional forging tools are made up of several light and heavy smith’s hammer, anvil, chisel, fixtures, and ceramic pot full of water, a furnace and something to blow the heat.