Baidhat al-Nuafil: Mat Makers
Date: 1951-58
Wilfred Thesiger (d. 2003) relates that the inhabitants of this village on the Tigris made their living by weaving reed mats in large numbers. These were exported on large sailing boats. See also: Reed House Builder; Coracle Maker; Weaver.
Citation: Wilfred Thesiger, The Marsh Arabs (London: The Folio Society, 2004. First edition: London: Longman, 1964), pp. 133-34. An illustration of a boat loaded with mats appears between pp. 142, 143 (image: 10172.1).
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