Omar Alai’s workday
“Insects, sheep, leaves, roots, and bark! That’s what this rug is made
of,” says Omar as he sits at the loom. Omar remembers visiting the dye
house. Here, he had watched the wool being dyed. And the dye was made
from parts of plants and animals.
Omar Alai lives and works in the home of a master weaver. He is learning
the craft. Instead of going to school, Omar weaves beautiful Persian
rugs. The rugs are named for his town of Kerman, Iran. Kerman rugs are
famous for their silklike wool and pale colors.
Today, Omar and five others are weaving a large carpet with a hunting
scene. Omar is proud of this rug. After several thousand hours of work,
it is almost finished. It will be a valuable rug.
Some children have to work to buy food and clothing for their families.
Others work by helping out on the family farm or in the family store.
And some don’t have to work at all. But they often do. They want to have
money of their own, to spend as they wish.
Iran
Many Iranian boys work as rug weavers. While they are learning the
craft, they live and work in the home of a master weaver. He teaches
them the skills they need to know.
The Ways We Work 125
