TEHRAN – The traditional shoes and footwear of Iran have beautiful regional names that are particular to each region. In Quchan, North Khorasan province, Charoq is one of the traditional handicrafts. Charoq is primarily worn by villagers and shepherds.

The laces of these shoes are twisted around the ankles of the feet. Charoq originated in the Sassanid dynasty and flourished during the Safavid dynasty, according to researchers. Also, Charoq appears in Iranian literature.

Rumi’s poem "Muses and the Shepherd" illustrates the use and prosperity of these handicrafts centuries ago. In the poem, the shepherd prays to God that he will sew God’s Charoq and comb his hair. Sham, Patabeh, and Palik are other names for Charoq.

To make a pair of Charoq, you will need a ‘Derafsh’ or stitching awl, needles, scalp, knife, engraving pen tool, cutter, shoehorns, and wooden molds. Cotton yarn, silk, and tanned cow leather are the primary materials used in Charoq-duzi.

As part of the making of a Charoq, the body is constructed, the embroideries are sewn on, decorations are added, and the laces are attached.

Charoq is sewed with blanket stitches of colorful yarns on black leather, and it is sewed with parallel stitches of white cotton yarn at the back. A six-petal flower made of pink and golden yarns decorates the back of Charoq. An array of colorful pom poms decorates the front. A buckle is made from leather and attached to both sides of Charoq as the final step. The bottom of this footwear is made of buffalo leather due to its high durability.

Unlike other cities, North Khorasan Charoqs are made of one piece of leather and there is no right or left foot in a pair. Women's shoes and men's shoes are not different either, they only differ in size.

Seh Gol, Chahar Gol, Puneh Dar, and Badami are some of the patterns sewn on Charoq.

The skill of making Charoq has been inscribed on the national heritage list.

ABU/MG