The art of "Dodni weaving" is one of the traditional crafts of the people of Sistan and Baluchestan, and we would like to introduce it to you. Stay with SaadNews. 🌾🧵
Dodni weaving is a historical art form that the people of Baluchestan traditionally used to decorate their homes and sometimes as a means of protecting themselves and their property from the "evil eye." Unfortunately, this ancient craft has been somewhat forgotten and is now at risk of being lost. Dodni weaving consists of decorative nets made from a herbaceous plant or simple divided leaves and yellowish-white flowers, which grow abundantly in many areas of the province.
In this beautiful art of Dodni weaving, women and girls create these handmade works using inexpensive, readily available materials. The woven pieces are both decorative and used to ward off the evil eye. To create these intricate works, two sticks or reeds are positioned crosswise or horizontally-vertically, and colorful threads are wound to form diamond or square shapes with vibrant colors. To enhance their beauty, threads of equal length filled with round seeds of spand (a plant) are suspended from the bottom, creating an even more eye-catching effect. In villages and among nomads, these woven pieces are used as handicrafts for art lessons, and fortunately, they are still seen today, even in urban areas.
The decorative nets are made from a herbaceous plant with simple divided leaves and yellowish-white flowers, which grows in many areas of the province. This plant is wild, requiring no seeds for cultivation, and flourishes in the summer months in most parts of the region. The basis of this art comes from the fruit of this plant, which is a capsule-like pod that reaches its full growth in the early months of the year. To make these products, women and families collect the plant stems in agricultural fields and bring them home. Then, individually or in groups, they remove the seeds from the stems and, using simple tools like thread and needles, string the seeds together like prayer beads. After all the seeds are strung, they are hung on the walls or ceilings of homes in various shapes like diamonds, squares, or circles.
As a source of income, this plant, being wild and easy to access, can provide a livelihood for women and create job opportunities. Unfortunately, this beautiful craft has been forgotten or is rarely seen nowadays. Despite its simplicity, it holds a special beauty that attracts people from other provinces and tourists visiting the area, who often buy these pieces as souvenirs.
Lastly, sometimes the small seeds of this plant are burned to relieve headaches, ward off the evil eye, and purify and scent the air.
