Introduction to Giveh Weaving
Kashan is one of the ancient cities of Iran, which is known as one of the tourist hubs with many historical and natural attractions. Nashlaj is the name of a village in Niasar, which is known as the largest village of Kashan, located 43 km southwest of the city, like a green gem enclosed in the heights of Ardehal. The road leading to the village passes through walnut, almond, and agricultural fields and gives a freshness to the guests as they enter the territory. Since the village houses were constructed on the mountain domain, the roof of each house is the other’s yard, creating a stepped texture. The villagers make a living by farming, animal husbandry, horticulture, and producing handicrafts such as carpet weaving and Giveh Weaving.
Neshlaj Village & Weaving Workshops
The village of Neshlaj is identified for the Nashlaji shoes and Giveh production, one of the most valuable rural handicrafts in Kashan, known as the Giveh making centre of the country. Giveh weaving is common in many cities of Iran, but some regions have a distinct reputation for preparation and production. Giveh is one of the most distinguished handicrafts; artist men and women have a role to make Nashlaji Giveh.
What exactly is Giveh
Although Giveh is a kind of footwear whose surface is of string and yarn (woven cotton strings), its bottom is usually made of leather in tangled pieces. In other words, Giveh has been one of the most impressive and valuable rural handicrafts of Persia.
Weaving Giveh
The weaving work of such footwear is usually done in two stages, first in the workshop and second at home. Making the shoes’ base, which is a masculine job, is ordinarily done in workshops or stores with various tools. In rural regions, usually, women do the surface layer at home, but some men weave Giveh as well in their leisure time at coffee houses or public places. Base-making in Nashlaj narrates a long history; local people of Nashlaj relate making Giveh to Giv, the legendary hero of Persia, Goodarz’s son, Rostam’s son-in-law, and Bijan’s father in Shahnameh, the epic poem book written by Feerdowsi. Mentioning such stories that have remained in people’s minds for many years and have reached today’s generation is a sign of antiquity. The industry has a long history due to its cultural roots in Nashlaj; therefore, you will find a weaving workshop next to each house in the village.
We divide such a native industry into two principal parts, rural and urban, based on the type and the place of production. Some of the materials used by the weavers are prepared locally, and some are produced in other regions. Cowhide, tallow, cow dung, and spun yarn are locally produced materials, and items provided outside the village include dye, thin cotton cloth, tragacanth, and spun yarn for flat-bottomed footwear.
History of Giveh Weaving
Traditional footwear, which was once widely used, especially in summer, has lost its long-standing reputation in recent years due to the prevalence of machine shoes in most parts of Iran. Most employees have shifted to other jobs since the demand decreases. However, Nashlaji Giveh has a significant reputation in Kashan, so despite the manufactured footwear on the market today, Nashlaji Giveh weavers still make the base and weave the surface of Giveh in their home or workshop.
It has become popular among young people again because of its design, variety, and comfort; so what is better than wearing a pair of Giveh from Kashan.