Sund Weaving in Iran: A Basketry from Palm Groves
Sund weaving is a valuable and authentic Iranian handicraft rooted in the culture and history of the people of southern Iran, especially Hormozgan Province. In this art, palm tree leaves are used to weave various wicker products. Sunds, due to their high resistance, flexibility, and natural beauty, have had many applications in the daily lives of people in these regions.
History of Sund Weaving
Sund weaving has a long history as one of the oldest handicrafts in Iran. Given the abundance of palm trees in southern Iran, people have long sought to make the best use of the leaves of this tree. By weaving palm leaves, they produced sunds with various uses such as building house roofs, awnings, walls, mats, baskets, and more.
Raw Materials and Tools Required
- Palm tree leaves: The most important raw material in sund weaving is palm tree leaves. After drying and preparation, these leaves are divided into narrow strips.
- Weaving tools: The tools needed for sund weaving include a weaving needle, knife, and wooden board.
Stages of Sund Making
- Preparing palm leaves: After drying, palm leaves are cut into narrow strips.
- Weaving: The cut strips are woven together in a network using a weaving needle.
- Stitching: For added strength, the edges of the sund are stitched together.
Applications of Sund
- Construction: Sunds were widely used to build roofs, walls, and awnings in rural homes.
- Household items: Sund was used to make baskets, mats, rugs, and other household items.
- Handicrafts: Today, sund is used to make various handicrafts such as bags, hats, keychains, and more.
Importance of Preserving the Art of Sund Weaving
With the advancement of technology and the entry of artificial materials into the market, the art of sund weaving has declined. However, preserving this art is important for the following reasons:
- Preserving cultural heritage: Sund weaving is part of Iran’s cultural heritage, and preserving it means preserving our cultural identity.
- Creating employment: Teaching and developing the art of sund weaving can help create jobs and income for artists and villagers.
- Promoting tourism: Sund products can be offered as local souvenirs to tourists and thus help boost tourism.