Charogh

Charuq is a traditional type of footwear that has been around for centuries, crafted in various styles. Historically, it was primarily made from leather. In Turkish, it’s called "Çarığ" or "Yapalık," and it’s a leather shoe that wraps around the foot and extends up to the calf. Charuq is an important handicraft from the city of Zanjan.

Charuq or Charakh

Charuq is not just a functional item; it’s also considered an artistic and decorative piece. Nowadays, women in Zanjan use it as a decorative rug and during gatherings and weddings. The design of Charuq is delicate, made from special materials intended for walking on carpets and in furnished spaces. Traditionally, it had a closed back and no heel, but in recent years, it has evolved to include heels. The sole is made of leather, while the upper part is beautifully woven with silk threads and adorned with colorful Golabtu. This vibrant upper adds a lovely touch to the footwear.

History of Charuq

Master Azad Ali Mohammadi Zanjani shares that the craft of making Charuq has been around for a long time, with farmers originally crafting them from raw leather. Over time, tanned leather became the norm, but the modern version has been produced for less than a century. The first known craftsman in Zanjan was a man named Jafar, who worked in this field. After him, a craftsman named Reza continued the tradition. Then, Master Azghar Khatibi revolutionized this craft by introducing seven different models of modern Charuq. (Currently, only two or three of these models are available in the market.) He mentioned that he was the first to create molds for these shoes using clay (a mix of soil and water) and provided wooden molds to other craftsmen. He also innovated by using twisted silk threads for the upper part of the Charuq, incorporating Golabtu wire for the first time. For many years, Master Khatibi's workshop was the sole provider of decorative Charuq in Zanjan, with six to seven students working alongside him. Although his workshop closed around 1974 due to his illness, his students continued the craft. The oldest of his students, Mr. Azad Ali Mohammadi, mastered this art and opened his own workshop, continuing the production of Charuq. Today, he is recognized as a skilled master in this field. After the closure of Master Khatibi's workshop, some of his students, with support from the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, have continued this beautiful art and are actively involved in it today. Currently, Charuq is celebrated as one of the finest, most practical, and most beautiful arts of Zanjan. Tourists often buy it as a souvenir, and it is exported to other cities. We hope that during your future travels to Iran and Zanjan, you’ll bring joy to your loved ones by purchasing Charuq and help promote this exquisite art. We look forward to welcoming you at Sana Persian in this historic city. We can’t wait to see you soon!