Cotton Garder

The naddaf was the craftsman on whom Baghdadi households relied for making and refreshing pillows, mattresses, and cotton quilts through a delicate manual process of cleaning and fluffing cotton or wool. Using a wooden bow strung with a long cord, he would strike the cotton gently in the air, causing it to expand into soft, cloud-like clusters that could be easily stuffed into fabric casings.

With his wooden comb, he removed impurities from the fibers, then reshaped the pillows and quilts and repaired any tears, returning them to a like-new state smooth to the touch and warm on cold winter nights. His voice echoed through the alleyways, and people would either visit his small shop or call him into their homes during winter preparation seasons or major family events.

Though once an essential figure in every home, the role of the naddāf has faded with the rise of factories and ready-made bedding products. Yet his memory survives in traditional crafts markets and cultural revival efforts, where this quiet art still finds its place as part of Iraq’s living heritage.