PUTTING PEOPLE TO SLEEP: The oldest upholsterer in Basra

In Basra’s old market, amid songs and the noise of passers-by in the narrow alleys, a 50-year-old man sits quietly and calmly in his shop, surrounded by piles of cotton and wool.

By Saad Nazim, in Basra

Mohammad Jabbar Nafawa is the oldest upholsterer in Basra. He inherited this profession when he was just five years old from his father, who practiced it in the 1930’s.

Nafawa’s relationship with upholstery has only grown stronger over the past forty years and now the profession itself is associated with his name in Basra.

Everyone here adds “al-Neddaf” to Nafawa’s own – it means “the upholsterer” – even though he is actually a maths teacher at a Basra elementary school. He goes there every morning to teach then spends his afternoon’s in the workshop filling customers’ orders.

“No one calls me teacher,” he says, with a laugh. “They all call me al-Neddaf.”

The upholstering trade has gone through different stages in Iraq, Nafawa explains, and at each stage the types of fabrics changed, as did the tools.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the best cottons were from Iran as well as from Iraq; the latter was Nafawa’s favorite. Years ago, the best cotton came from Iraqi factories in Kut, Diwaniyah and Mosul, he recounts.

“I never expected that the cotton industry here would fail to this extent,” Nafawa says sadly. “Or that we would resort to using recycled cotton.”

At one stage, the tradition of making mattresses was disappearing in Iraq because of the abundance of imported mattresses.

Even though local upholstery is not thriving due to imports from places like Turkey and Iran, young couples, about to be married, still come to Nafawa’s store to buy furniture for their new homes. He often offers his young customers credit on furnishings even though it’s risky and there’s no guarantee he’ll be paid.

The average price of a single mattress in his store is IQD35,000 (about US $ 24), the price of a double ranges from IQD100,000 to IQD140,000 (about US $ 68 to US $ 95) and a pillow goes from anywhere between IQD5, 000 and IQD7,000 (about US $ 3 to US $ 5).

“I understand these young people’s circumstances,” Nafawa explains why he offers credit. “This profession requires patience and cooperation.”

Some of his customers have been with Nafawa for a long time. One client brought her furnishings after her wedding from his father’s store. now she buys for her own children’s marriages.

Nafawa says his father would deal with everyone – Christians, Jews, Sabaean Mandeans and all other sectors of Iraqi society. “Their exchanges were always respectful and affectionate and I am trying to do the same as my father did, bless his soul,” Nafawa explains.

When Nafawa worked with his father at the homes of Basra’s well-off families in the 1950s and 1960s, they would soften cotton the old-fashioned way, by beating it with a piece of wood until the fibres loosened. It was traditional for upholsterers to move between different homes doing their jobs because locals that preparing cotton at home would bring happiness and blessings to the household.

It gave the upholsterers a chance to chat to their clients too. This is something that still happens. Nafawa recalls one client coming in with a mattress that needed re-upholstering. “He told me his mother had hidden valuables and money inside the mattress. But I told him that even if we found all the money in the world inside the mattress, I would still give it back,” Nafawa recalls. “In the end all we found were some prayers and some charms.”

At one stage, the tradition of making mattresses was disappearing in Iraq because of the abundance of imported mattresses made out of, for example, sponge rubber or made with springs. Many professional upholsterers left the business altogether.

In fact, Nafawa believes that now there are only several dozen left in all Iraq. It can also be a wearing trade on the body – the work is energetic and upholsterers often end up with back problems caused by all the effort beating the cotton.

Nafawa now uses a machine to do this part of the job and he is able to produce a lot more.

There is further hope for the trade on the horizon too. “Our handicraft began to recover recently because people became aware that it was problematic to sleep on synthetic sponge mattresses,” he explains. “A lot of people are now sent to us by their orthopaedic doctors and they want cotton or wool mattresses.”

“I love this profession,” Nafawa concludes. “And I want to keep it going. All I need to do is smile, be patient and master my work.”

Related Articles

288 Comments

  1. Remember to let me know in the event you’re looking for a posting writer for your internet site. You have some really very good posts and I believe I can be a fantastic asset. If you at any time need to get many of the load off, I’d really like to put in writing some content to your blog in exchange for your link back to mine. Make sure you shoot me an e-mail if interested. Thanks! drosas.naoblal.se/skin-care/vegetarisk-lasagne-spenat-tomatss.php vegetarisk lasagne spenat tomats??s

  2. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and great design.

  3. Oh my goodness! Remarkable report dude! Many thanks, Nonetheless I’m undergoing difficulties along with your RSS. I don’t know The key reason why why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting identical RSS troubles? Any one that appreciates the answer will you kindly reply? Thanks!!

  4. lack of critical thinking
    [url=”https://criticalthinking2020.net”]critical thinking company[/url]
    what does critical thinking mean

  5. masters dissertation writing services uk
    [url=”https://dissertationhelpexpert.com”]dissertation proposal[/url]
    dissertation proposal sample

  6. dissertation help services
    [url=”https://dissertationhelpspecialist.com”]doctoral dissertation help usa[/url]
    whats a dissertation

  7. dissertation writing tips
    [url=”https://dissertationwritingcenter.com”]proposal and dissertation help 3000 words[/url]
    dissertation writing process

  8. writing dissertation abstract
    [url=”https://examplesofdissertation.com”]writing the doctoral dissertation[/url]
    cheap dissertation help

  9. proquest dissertation
    [url=”https://helpwithdissertationwritinglondon.com”]writing dissertation abstract[/url]
    proposal writing company

  10. dissertation help service binding
    [url=”https://professionaldissertationwriting.com”]dissertation titles[/url]
    dissertation review

  11. best casino deposit bonus
    [url=”https://9lineslotscasino.com”]no deposit bonuses[/url]
    best free casino bonus no deposit

  12. dissertation editing
    [url=”https://professionaldissertationwriting.org”]what is dissertation[/url]
    dissertation writing uk

  13. online casino usa real money no deposit bonus
    [url=”https://all-online-casino-games.com”]real money casino[/url]
    play mobile casino

  14. dissertation thesis writing
    [url=”https://writing-a-dissertation.net”]dissertations writing[/url]
    writing dissertations

  15. uf dissertation award
    [url=”https://writingadissertationproposal.com”]need help with dissertation[/url]
    doctoral dissertation

  16. mobile online casino
    [url=”https://casino-online-jackpot.com”]online casino games for real money[/url]
    online casino usa real money

  17. best casino sites
    [url=”https://casino-online-roulette.com”]best casino welcome bonus[/url]
    what is the best online casino for real money

  18. win real money online casino for free
    [url=”https://cybertimeonlinecasino.com”]best us online casino[/url]
    casino real money

  19. best free casino bonus no deposit
    [url=”https://download-casino-slots.com”]casino online usa[/url]
    casino signup bonus

  20. online casinos for us players
    [url=”https://firstonlinecasino.org”]online casino bonus no deposit[/url]
    what is the best online casino for real money

  21. best online blackjack
    [url=”https://free-online-casinos.net”]top online casino real money[/url]
    mobile online casino

  22. online casinos real money
    [url=”https://internet-casinos-online.net”]best online casino for us players[/url]
    casino games for money

  23. vpn free download for pc
    [url=”https://freehostingvpn.com”]best free vpn chrome[/url]
    vpn to change location free

  24. free sign up bonus online casino
    [url=”https://newlasvegascasinos.com”]online casinos real money[/url]
    united states online casino

  25. best online casino welcome bonus
    [url=”https://onlinecasinofortunes.com”]casino play for real money[/url]
    bonus casino

  26. blackjack online real money
    [url=”https://onlinecasinosdirectory.org”]best online casino us[/url]
    usa online casino

  27. mobile casino games
    [url=”https://ownonlinecasino.com”]free welcome bonus[/url]
    online casino with free signup bonus real money usa

  28. online slots real money free bonus
    [url=”https://trust-online-casino.com”]online us casinos[/url]
    welcome bonus no deposit

  29. best deposit casino bonus
    [url=”https://trust-online-casino.com”]free signup bonus no deposit casino[/url]
    gambling bonuses

  30. online usa casino
    [url=”https://trust-online-casino.com”]top online casinos usa[/url]
    no deposit online casino

  31. adam for adam gay dating
    [url=”https://datinggayservices.com”]gay autism dating vancouver washington[/url]
    which senoir gay dating app has most members lakeland fl

  32. gay on line dating
    [url=”https://gayedating.com”]sugar daddy gay dating app[/url]
    hunter biden gay boyfriend dating

  33. christian dating
    [url=”https://adult-singles-online-dating.com”]dating sites really free[/url]
    best online meeting websites

  34. gay/bi dating apps
    [url=”https://gayedating.com”]gay male dating sites[/url]
    no more craigslist where to go for gay dating

  35. best gay dating apps for men over 40
    [url=”https://gay-singles-dating.com”]gay dating for ftm’s[/url]
    completely free gay dating sites

  36. best no deposit bonus online casino
    [url=”https://casinosonlinex.com”]online casino sign up bonuses[/url]
    online casino usa real money

  37. online dating sites for free 100%
    [url=”https://onlinedatingbabes.com”]local personal ads[/url]
    local singles

  38. free local dating
    [url=”https://onlinedatingservicesecrets.com”]totally free chat dating site[/url]
    meet women online free

  39. gay discord chat
    [url=”https://free-gay-sex-chat.com”]ring central gay pnp slam 2019 room chat code[/url]
    gay voice chat

  40. local gay chat
    [url=”https://gaychatspots.com”]gay chat rooms free in illinois[/url]
    choose a gay video chat free

  41. chat gay en mexico.com
    [url=”https://gayinteracialchat.com”]gay teen chat with nudes[/url]
    free gay video chat room

  42. gay chat lines
    [url=”https://gayphillychat.com”]black bottom gay chat room[/url]
    gay chat rooms for free without registration

  43. free local singles login
    [url=”https://online-internet-dating.net”]free dating sites for men and women[/url]
    free chat and dating online

  44. free dating sites for single men and women
    [url=”https://wowdatingsites.com”]meet singles for free[/url]
    zoosk dating login

  45. connecting singles online members
    [url=”https://zonlinedating.com”]christian singles dating site[/url]
    dating sim

  46. best college essay writing service
    [url=”https://au-bestessays.org”]buy cheap essays online[/url]
    essay writing service best

  47. can i pay someone to write my essay
    [url=”https://besteasyessays.org”]help writing an argumentative essay[/url]
    help me write a narrative essay

  48. help writing scholarship essays
    [url=”https://bestessaysden.com”]psychology essay writing services[/url]
    essays service

  49. please help me write my essay
    [url=”https://bestsessays.org”]custom application essay[/url]
    help writing a argumentative essay

  50. order custom essay online
    [url=”https://buyacademicessay.com”]essay editing service reviews[/url]
    essay help service

  51. i need help writing a narrative essay
    [url=”https://buytopessays.com”]narrative essay writing help[/url]
    the best essay writing service

  52. best online essay writing services
    [url=”https://customcollegeessays.net”]best college essay editing service[/url]
    help 123 essay

  53. hire essay writer
    [url=”https://customessays-writing.org”]the best essay writing services[/url]
    cheap essay service

  54. review of essay writing services
    [url=”https://customessaywwriting.com”]narrative essay writing help[/url]
    english essay help

  55. best essay writer company
    [url=”https://customs-essays-writing.org”]mba essay help[/url]
    help writing college essays

  56. need help to write an essay
    [url=”https://firstessayservice.net”]essay writing website reviews[/url]
    act essay help

  57. essay help chat
    [url=”https://geniusessaywriters.net”]help with writing college essays[/url]
    essay on community service

  58. websites for essay writing
    [url=”https://howtobuyanessay.com”]professional grad school essay writers[/url]
    buy cheap essay

  59. mba essay review service
    [url=”https://lawessayhelpinlondon.com”]help with writing essays[/url]
    write my history essay for me

  60. essay writers for hire
    [url=”https://lawessayhelpinlondon.com”]please help me write my essay[/url]
    medical school essay service

  61. best writing paper
    [url=”https://ukessayservice.net”]write my college essay me[/url]
    what is the best custom essay writing service

  62. the help essay prompts
    [url=”https://au-bestessays.org”]help in writing essay[/url]
    application essay writing service

  63. cheapest essay writers
    [url=”https://besteasyessays.org”]cheap essays writing service[/url]
    the help essay

  64. cheap essays writing service
    [url=”https://bestessayreviews.net”]i need help writing an essay[/url]
    essay writer helper

  65. Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!

  66. cheap custom essay papers
    [url=”https://buyacademicessay.com”]history essay help[/url]
    essay writing services toronto

  67. Hey! This post could not be written any better!Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him.Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  68. Good day! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  69. Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  70. My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!

  71. We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for you personally? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome web log!

  72. What i do not understood is in reality how you’re now not actually a lot more smartly-appreciated than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You understand thus considerably when it comes to this subject, made me personally imagine it from so many various angles. Its like women and men are not involved except it¦s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs nice. At all times handle it up!

  73. I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website 🙂

  74. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!

  75. I will immediately seize your rss feed as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me realize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  76. I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂

  77. I¦ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i am happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most unquestionably will make certain to don¦t omit this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.

  78. Very well written information. It will be beneficial to anyone who employess it, including myself. Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.

  79. Wonderful site you have here but I was curious if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thank you!

  80. Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.

  81. certainly like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will surely come back again.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button