Renaissance of Taaneh–bafi in Qale-Bala after 30 years in summer 2008.

In the context of “Developing a Pilot on the Role of Communities in the Preservation of Environment with Reliance on Ecotourism on the Border of Touran National Park (IRA-06-09 (76th)) Project”, a successful attempt has been achieved by the cooperation of the plan for the land society, SGP (Small Grant Projects) with the assist of local people of Qale-Bala village for revival of Taaneh-Bafi.

Taaneh-bafi is the name of the cloth-weaving handicraft in dialect of Qale-Bala. Taaneh-baf (= the cloth-weaver) uses a pedaled machine for weaving cloth. The pedals are used to mechanically select every other Taar (= the warp) to pass the Pood (= the woof) through them. They usually use white thread for warps and form the design of the cloth by passing woofs with different colors. The usage of the cloth which is woven in this method depends on the quality of the threads. People use the cloth which is woven of common strings for everyday clothes, bags or handkerchiefs and the ones which is woven of soft string for towel. But there is a special kind of cloth which is woven with silk threads which are used for more sophisticated clothing.

The revival of Taaneh-bafi in Qale-Bala can be considered a great achievement due to the fact that Taaneh-bafi is a very traditional handicraft and it is not widespread in the country and the mentioned village is one of the rare locations with this tradition. The first products of this small manufacture could be considered valuable signs of rehabilitation of handicrafts and cultural heritage in the region. Moreover, it is a potential sustainable touristic article.

The fortunate coincidence of the launch of an ecotourism workshop held by the Plan for the Land Society and Taaneh-bafi opening day, made it possible to have the presence of Mr.Mohammadzadeh the sheriff of Biarjomand, Mr.Karimi the mayor of Biarjomand and the cleric of the village Mr.Azadi on the occasion of the opening.

It is of vital importance to mention that, as the local people remember, in the recent past the entire demand for different types of textile material was all covered by the strive of the local people themselves. The range of materials being wool, felt, cotton, silk, etc, producing hats, coats, overalls, skirts, towels and other articles.

In the light of the growing appreciation for handicrafts in the highly industrialized textile industry, Taane can be considered a great gain, connecting us with the aesthetic of the past, and the everlasting strive of mankind for individuality expressed in the warps and woofs of Taane.

Our acknowledgement goes to Mr.Seifollah Keyghobadi, Ms.Tahereh Ahmadi, Ms.Zahra Keyghobadi, Ms.Bibi Keyghobadi and Mr.Hamzeh Ajami each for their contribution in gathering, establishing, steering and overall in perking up this valuable culture.