Sond is the first Iranian mat and a handicraft of Hormozgan province. Stay with Saad News to learn more about this art.
Sond weaving is a handicraft of the people of Sirik County, and all its components come from the date palm tree. Sond is made from the branches and leaves of the date palm tree and comes in dimensions of 4, 6, and 8 meters. It is used for making awnings, rural houses, storage rooms, huts, livestock pens, and garden fences. This craft, considering the geographical climate of the region, is easy to make, transport, and is durable against moisture and sunlight, making it popular both within the country and in Gulf countries. Various products from the date palm tree, including sond, mats, animal feed dates, dates, and date syrup, are exported to the Gulf countries.
What is Sond? Sond is a coarse, rough mat and is one of the traditional handicrafts of the southern people of Iran. It is part of the mat weaving tradition, one of the most common handicrafts. The presence of abundant date palms has provided the opportunity to weave various types of mats. To make sond, date palm branches are used, and these branches are tied together with ropes made from date palm leaves. Sond is used for covering the roofs of houses and protecting wind catchers during the winter.
Various Uses of the Date Palm Tree The date palm tree, known as "Mogh" in the local Hormozgani dialect, is a symbol of this province, and people widely recognize this land by its towering date palms. The climate of Hormozgan is ideal for growing various types of date palms, and the best export-quality dates come from the province's date orchards. The people of this palm-rich land, with their strong cultural heritage, have historically used every part of the natural world around them to meet their needs. As a result, in this region, where date palms are abundant, people make their everyday items from the leaves of the date palm tree. In the past, and even today, the date palm tree is so intertwined with the culture of the people that they make everything from its leaves, from the roofs of their houses to their household utensils. The date palm tree, due to its high utility, with every part being used by the people of Hormozgan, is considered sacred. The leaves of the date palm, known locally as "Pish," are abundant in the gardens and orchards of Hormozgan, and the people of this land have used their craftsmanship to create valuable artworks, which they not only use themselves but also export to domestic and international markets.
Sond Weaving
Sond: The First Iranian Mat The weaving of Sond is mostly done by men in late summer, outdoors, in the date orchards, and is the most common handicraft of Hormozgan province. Due to the climatic conditions and the abundance of date palms in the region, the craft has existed for over a thousand years. Since the time date orchards have been established, humans have been inspired by nature and, through their art and ingenuity, were able to create the first mats and shelters from the date palm tree. However, due to the current generation's reduced interest in traditional handicrafts and the shift from traditional to modern living and housing styles, the use of Sond weaving has significantly decreased today. Fortunately, there is room for innovation and creativity in this craft. For example, modern derivatives of Sond weaving are used in the decoration of traditional restaurants, recreational places, and rural areas, which helps sustain the craft.
🕸️Final Words Sonds come in various types and sizes based on their usage. The most well-known and widely used types of Sond include Sarbosh, Patek, Midoun, and Hasht Midoun. Due to their ease of production, portability, and durability against moisture and sunlight, Sonds are very popular in the southern parts of the country and Gulf countries such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
