Reviving gachmeh-weaving, a boon for culture and economy of Boyer-Ahmad
Gachmeh-bafi (gachmeh-weaving) is an exclusive handicraft of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, combining the arts of kilim and carpet weaving. This beautiful and enduring art is the product of the skilled tribeswomen of the region. The process involves weaving the edge and pattern using the carpet-weaving method after the warping.
The tribes of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province use gachmeh for underlay and decoration of their tents and houses, making the handicraft production an important economic and employment opportunity for its weavers. The market for gachmeh is thriving, and it holds a special significance in the region.
The art of gachmeh-weaving was founded by a woman named Naneh Ghol Ghol in the city of Sepidar during the Qajar era. Her legacy lives on, and with the establishment of weaving workshops as well as paying loans, and granting of licenses to enthusiasts, gachmeh-weaving has flourished in the city of Boyer-Ahmad.
The raw materials for gachmeh-weaving include wool yarn for the weft, cotton yarn for the warp, and dye, while the weaving tools include a kilim weaving comb and a knife. This newly born art is indicative of the taste and richness of the traditions and customs of the inhabitants of the land, and it has become a valuable hand-woven product of Boyer-Ahmad.
Resuscitating
gachmeh-weaving
Kazem Rahmani, head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of the city of Boyer-Ahmad, stated that gachmeh-weaving is an indigenous and authentic art form, which was revitalized in the past years.
He highlighted the significance of registering gachmeh-weaving on Iran’s National Heritage List, adding that the establishment of four gachmeh-weaving workshops is an important initiative taken by the government to revive this art.
Rahmani mentioned that 100 gachmeh-weaving enthusiasts in Boyer-Ahmad have received training, with 20 of them actively involved in the production of this handicraft. He emphasized that providing training courses and offering permits, and low-interest loans are integral parts of the program devised for supporting the handicraft.
In addition, he noted that a total of 16,000 artisans active in the handicraft sector have been identified in Boyer-Ahmad, with 12,000 of them holding the necessary permits.
Deputy head of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization Mehrnoush Behniazadeh said the production of gachmeh is limited, but some quantities of this product are exported to foreign countries.
She emphasized that many Iranian consumer goods are manufactured using foreign products, and stressed the importance of promoting the cultural value of Iranian handicrafts, such as gachmeh, to encourage their widespread use among the population.
The official mentioned that these handmade products are shipped to foreign countries from other provinces. Additionally, they are showcased and sold at domestic exhibitions in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province at the national level.