Hormozgan’s Jahleh: How Ancient Clay Craft Earned UNESCO Recognition
Historic coverage in Sobh-e Sahel daily newspaper highlighting the international publication of Hormozgan's spherical Jahleh water jug in the prestigious UNESCO HeritageAlive journal.
The official publication of Hormozgan's Jahleh in UNESCO's HeritageAlive international journal represents a landmark triumph for southern Iranian cultural diplomacy. Authored by Mehrdad Yazdani, researcher and representative of the Hormozgan Cultural Heritage Custodians Association (HCHCA), the monograph documents the ancient craft of the spherical earthenware jar, its unique thermodynamics, and its acoustic role in vernacular music.
The Jahleh is not merely a water container; it is an extraordinary testament to human adaptation along the hyper-arid shores of the Persian Gulf. Its porous unglazed terracotta body fosters continuous capillary evaporation, reducing internal water temperatures by up to 10°C without mechanical energy.
With only two master potters remaining in Shahvar village near Minab, this international recognition provides critical momentum for urgent safeguarding measures, intergenerational transmission, and educational workshops sponsored by HCHCA.