Chitbafi
Nomads often require certain tools to alleviate the hardships they face in their lives. Like most Asian nomads, the Iranian nomadic people reside in a tent which is made from goat’s hair and thus, insulated against rain and snow. Bakhtiyari, Lor, Kurd, and Lak nomads of Iran commonly use a fabric called ‘chit’ to protect their tents as well as to divide their interior space.
Chit Usage
Chit serves the function of a wall, shielding the tent. It can also be used as a partition to divide the space inside the tent (It is customary in the Iranian culture to divide a chamber in social events to segregate men from women).
Raw Materials
Chit is made from reed and cotton. The reeds which grow in a salt marsh are of the best quality as they are stronger than other types. The cotton used in most cases is goat’s hair and at times wool. Today, however, Acrylic yarn is also used for its variety in colour.
Classification in the Iranian Handicrafts
Although chits are partly made of cotton with the creation process known as chitbafi done by women weavers, it does not fall into the category of hand-made weaves or textiles. Chit is classified as reed products such as wicker works.
Production Method
First there needs to be structure. Depending on the width of chit, two wooden posts are firmly installed into the ground with a third one fixed horizontally on the top. Then, a certain number of cotton strings (based on the main pattern) come into the process. Each string is tied to two stones on both ends. Next, each string is divided and hung from the horizontal wooden stick. Stones are meant to stretch the cotton strings so that the final product is harmonious in shape and texture. After all strings have been fixed in place, the first reed is placed over the strings on the horizontal stick. Now those strings that dangle from the sides of the structure are moved to opposite directions. This is when the second reed is placed next to the first one with all the strings taken to the other direction. This process continues until the desired length is obtained. Meanwhile, women weavers can add simple geometrical motifs to taste.
There is another way to produce chit in which colorful cotton strings first go round each reed which are then placed next to each other to create the main pattern. After installing the strings round the reeds, they are placed on the structure to begin the production the way mentioned earlier. This method is called ‘Tapak’, and the final product is used to decorate bride’s chamber. Finally, the extra strings on the sides of the chit are cut and the reeds are covered by goat’s hair. The process of preparing the sides is called ‘Lavar’, which protects the chit’s sides against wear and tear and increases its durability.
Symbolism
As mentioned before, geometrical shapes and especially quadrangulars are used in chit’s pattern. Each quadrangular represents a certain place. Square symbolizes land and the Earth; rhombus represents pond or any place like a depository. Motifs in Tapak chits such as ram’s horns symbolize power and abundance.
Modern Usage
Today, chits serve more or less the same function they have always done. They are commonly used as partitions to divide big areas inside houses or offices.
Bibliography
- Abdolhossein Ghasemnejad.20023. fieldwork.