Lahij
is surrounded by tall mountains that are layered with limestone, sandstone and
clay. Stone from these mountains was used to build most of the houses in the
village. Once in town, you'll probably notice that the houses seem to have been
placed there randomly, without any set plan, along the narrow and winding cobblestone
streets. All of the houses have flat roofs, and some feature balconies that
look out onto the street. If you get a chance to step inside one of the small
courtyards, you'll be likely to see a "tendir," which is an oven used
for baking bread. On the other side of the courtyard, you'll usually find a
stable or a chicken coop.Inside the houses, you'll find a heating device called a "kursu." A kursu is a big table placed above a kerosene stove or hearth and covered with a big blanket. In the winter, the entire family gathers around the kursu to stretch out their legs and warm their feet. Even families that are financially secure who use fireplaces to warm their guest rooms, put a kursu to warm their own family's room.
Many
of the 2,000 people living in Lahij are involved in ancient crafts such as engraved
copper work and carpet weaving. In the mid-19th century, there were more than
200 workshops in Lahij. Traders discovered Lahij crafts many centuries ago,
and sold them for high prices at bazaars in Baghdad [now Iraq], Shiraz [now
Iran] and other Middle Eastern cities. Stop by a copper workshop for a impromptu
lesson in ancient craftsmanship you'll get to see coppersmiths use small mallets
to decorate plates, trays, jugs, goblets and pitchers, just as their ancestors
have done for centuries.