Ilam’s handwoven carpet industry in need of more attention
The people of the western province of Ilam have always been famous in various artistic fields and their past nomadic life has caused handicrafts to become prevalent in the region.
Today handicrafts, from embossed kilims to handwoven carpets, are being produced across the province. The available figures show that, presently, the craftspeople of the province manufacture 33 types of handicrafts, IRNA reported.
Handwoven carpets have been found in the houses of local people since a long time ago. Consequently, a boom in the carpet-weaving industry has played a significant role in the livelihoods of rural families.
However despite its great capacity, the province’s carpet-weaving industry has no fame in the country, and is not supported by relevant organizations.
Kobra Azizi, who has been involved in the carpet-weaving industry for 20 years, said that carpet weavers have to sell their products at very low prices.
She said earning a low wage is the main problem faced by carpet weavers who are active in the province.
“A 2x3 meter rug takes at least nine months to be woven but, unfortunately, we don’t get a good salary at the end,” she said.
She noted that a large number of the province’s carpet weavers are not covered by social security insurance.
Ali Khodayari, a carpet expert, said that lack of branding is the main problem faced by the province’s carpet industry, adding that 95 percent of handmade carpets produced in the province are being exported to foreign countries, but no one knows about that.
The designs of carpets woven in Ilam are taken from other parts of the country, thus the products woven in the region are sold to domestic and foreign markets under the name of other provinces.
He said that proper planning in the field of carpet production would help generate jobs for a large number of villagers, pointing out that in some villages of the province, such as Cheshmeh Shirin of Badreh, most of the residents earn a living through carpet weaving.
Khodayari continued that the unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran have caused a reduction in the province’s carpet exports, pointing out that the establishment of a carpet production township is the first strategy which should be adopted to develop the sector in the province.
Head of the province’s Industries and Mines Organization Mohammad Rahimi said that about 4,100 meters of handwoven carpets were produced across the province in the past Iranian year (ended March 20, 2023).
He noted that more than 3,050 people are involved in carpet weaving in the province.