Moj Bafi, an ancient weaving tradition in heart of Zagros mountain range

History of Moj Bafi

Moj Bafi is a woolen handwoven textile characterized by large checks and geometric motifs. Its warp and weft are traditionally made entirely from hand-spun wool obtained from sheep raised by nomadic and rural communities. The textile is woven on a simple traditional loom known as Chahar Verdi, making it a craft closely associated with the self-sufficient lifestyle of communities across the Zagros region.

Traditional Techniques

The traditional palette of Moj includes dark blue, blue, yellow, and red. The combination of these colors with geometric patterns gives the textiles a distinctive visual character while reflecting the aesthetic preferences of western Iranian weaving traditions. From household necessity to handicraft, Moj weaving was closely connected to household life rather than being regarded solely as an artistic occupation. In largely self-sufficient nomadic and rural families, producing bedding wraps was an important activity during periods of leisure and gradually developed into a traditional home-based craft.

Complexity of Patterns

One of the distinctive characteristics of Moj Bafi is the relationship between the complexity of its patterns and the number of shuttles used during weaving. Among traditional weavers, the quality and craftsmanship of a Moj textile are assessed partly by the number of shuttles employed simultaneously. Each color used in a pattern requires a separate shuttle, while points at which different colors intersect can also increase the number of shuttles involved. As a result, textiles featuring a greater number of colors and more intricate motifs generally require greater precision, time, and effort.