Chogha Bafi

The chogha is a traditional outer garment worn by Bakhtiari men. It usually extends below the knees and is distinctive in that it has no buttons, sleeves, or collar. This garment is handwoven by Bakhtiari women using sheep’s wool or cotton, often made with care for their husbands or brothers.
The Bakhtiari chogha is characterized by its black and white stripes: the white lines run upward from the hem, while the black lines descend from the shoulders. This design is considered symbolic of the triumph of good over evil.

Etymology of Chogha Weaving

The word chogha (also pronounced choukha) refers to a men’s overcoat. It is a traditional term for outerwear used in Iran, especially among the Bakhtiari people .

History of  Chogha Weaving

The chogha has a history going back thousands of years. Its design and weaving are said to be inspired by motifs from the ancient Chogha Zanbil temple in Shush. According to the researcher J. Raf Garthwaite, the Bakhtiari people are descendants of the Sassanian and Achaemenid civilizations. To support this idea, he compares the chogha to garments depicted on rock-carved statues and reliefs from those eras. The English traveler, archaeologist, and diplomat Austen Henry Layard also described this attire: “Mohammad Taqi Khan was dressed in a kind of travel or military outfit usually worn by Bakhtiari chiefs on journeys. The chogha was a short-sleeved, tight-fitting coat reaching the knees, worn over a long silk robe. Its hem was tucked into his wide debit trousers, richly embroidered at the cuffs and fastened at the ankles. Around his tall khosrow cap was wrapped a striped sash.” The chogha is not only practical but also very comfortable to wear. It also makes for a meaningful and unique souvenir to gift your loved ones. We hope that in the near future, the Sana Persian team will host your visit to Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari in visiting Iran , where you can witness chogha weaving firsthand—and perhaps bring one home as a special gift. We look forward to that day