Hasir-bafi: Iranian mat-weaving and basketry

Materials by region

• Gilan and Mazandaran: rice straw and wetland reeds (hasir)
• Khuzestan and Bushehr: date-palm leaflets
• Sistan: reeds from the Hamun wetlands
• Central Iran: wheat straw for small baskets

Typical objects

Floor mats, bread trays (sofreh-ye nan), fans, storage baskets and hats. Many are coiled or plaited.

Threats

Plastic substitutes and drying wetlands have reduced raw material and demand. Buying handmade mats directly supports rural women and elders who hold the skill.

A note on this guide

This is a general introduction written by the CraftPersia editorial team and has not yet been reviewed by a specialist. Workshop practice varies between towns and families; treat dates and figures as approximate and confirm details with makers, museums or published scholarship before relying on them.