Gamaj and Nokhon are traditional ceramic vessels from the Gilan province. In this article, we aim to get acquainted with this handicraft. Stay with Saad News.
Pottery in Gilan has a long history, and due to the available production conditions, it has had various uses, including making items such as Gomaj, clay pots, Namakyar (a clay vessel for grinding walnuts and herbs), Tannor-nan, water jugs, vases, and clay statues. In addition to pottery items, traces of pottery can also be seen in the architecture of old houses in Gilan. If you pay attention to the roofs of rural and old houses in Gilan, you will notice the tiled roofs made of crescent-shaped pottery, which were used to prevent rainwater from leaking in. One of the most unique pottery items in Gilan is called Gomaj, which we will explore further.
Gomaj is a type of pot or cauldron made from red clay. It is shaped like a large pot, and various Gilanian dishes such as Baghala Ghatogh and Mirza Ghasemi are cooked in it. Some people turn the pot upside down and bake local bread (Kashta) on top of it. This pot is typically glazed with green glaze. Gomaj is a widely used and popular pottery item in Gilan that has always been admired for its excellent cooking properties, especially in preparing local and traditional dishes like Gheymé, Fesenjan, Baghala Ghatogh, and Abgousht. In the past, when metal objects were rare, Gomaj was the best and most essential cooking tool for the people of Gilan, and it is still used by the people of Gilan today, both for cooking and decorative purposes. They believe that cooking stews in it is easier and more pleasant. The lid of the Gomaj is called Nokhon. There are different sizes of Gomaj pots: small (for a single person), medium (for a couple), large (for family use), and the biggest ones are for hosting important guests.
The process of making Gomaj begins with shaping the clay on a potter’s wheel by hand. Once shaped, it is placed in a corner to dry for a while. After a few days, all the items are placed in special kilns to be fired. The pottery items are baked at 1000°C to become traditional products, then removed from the kiln and allowed to cool down. After that, glazing takes place. The glaze is applied to the outer and inner surface and the lid of the Gomaj, which increases the durability and quality of the pottery. Once the glaze is fully applied (so that it doesn’t run over the edges), the items are placed back into the kiln for a second firing to solidify the glaze. The glaze color of Gomaj is usually green, which is typically obtained from a mixture of glass powder with tin and lead.
The best Gomaj is the one made by local craftsmen with their hardworking and loving hands. The first step in making Gomaj is using high-quality Gilanian clay, which is shaped by the potter manually or on a potter’s wheel. The best clay for making Gomaj can be found in cities like Siyahkal, Amlesh, and Jirdeh in Gilan. After the initial shaping, the clay must be dried under the sun for about two weeks. Then, the body of the Gomaj is smoothed out, and the pot is fired in a kiln at a temperature of 1000°C. After the pot is removed from the kiln and cooled down, it’s time for glazing. The glaze is applied to the outer and inner surface and the lid to improve its durability. Finally, after the glazing and coloring process, the Gomaj is placed back in the kiln for the final baking, and the handcrafted and popular Gilanian pottery is ready to be used.
Since Gomaj is traditionally made and there’s a possibility of cracking, certain precautions are necessary to extend its lifespan. The most important tip is to avoid using high flames or heat when cooking with a Gomaj. A flame spreader should be used for cooking with the pottery. Also, before cooking for the first time, fill the Gomaj with cold water and allow it to gradually reach the boiling point over an hour.
