Haider Kareem works on a hand-stitched cotton mattress at his workshop in Khamsat Mile, Basra. Surrounded by bundles of raw material, Kareem continues a traditional craft passed down from his father, despite rising competition from cheaper imported bedding. Photo by 964media
Basra cotton craftsman holds on to tradition as imports reshape market
BASRA — In Basra’s Khamsat Mil district, Haider Kareem continues a fading family tradition: handcrafting cotton bedding in a workshop he inherited from his father, a trade he has practiced since 1997.
“I inherited the workshop and the craft from my father,” Kareem told 964media. “In the past, demand was high. But now, things have changed. Customers look for cheaper options, and imported products have flooded the market.”
Kareem’s workshop produces pillows, mattresses, and thick cotton quilts known locally as judaliya, all made from high-quality agricultural cotton. A handmade pillow sells for about 12,000 dinars ($8.45), while imported alternatives are priced between 3,000 and 4,000 dinars ($2.10 to $2.80).
“A handmade judaliya can cost up to 30,000 dinars ($21), a single mattress up to 90,000 ($63.40), and a double around 250,000 ($176),” Kareem said. “These prices reflect the cotton quality, fabric, and manual labor involved. Meanwhile, imported versions sell for less than the cost of our materials.”
Though he now uses machines to clean and fluff the cotton, the stuffing and shaping are still done by hand. Despite shifting market trends, Kareem said a segment of customers remains loyal to traditional bedding, particularly older clients.
“Older customers especially ask for traditional cotton mattresses because they’re better for back pain,” he said.
Hadi Saleh, a longtime customer, echoed that view. “The cotton carder’s work is unmatched — clean, durable, and transparent,” he said. “You can see the pure cotton inside. And if something goes wrong, you can return to the craftsman — he’s part of the community.”
Saleh added that he finds cotton bedding beneficial for his health. “It helps with back pain and feels better than synthetic alternatives.”
But others have turned to newer products tailored for specific medical needs.
“This craft is part of our heritage,” said Abbas Nasser, another customer. “But the market has changed. Imported products now offer more options, including mattresses designed for medical conditions.”
Nasser, who suffers from a slipped disc, said he now uses a specialized mattress. “That doesn’t diminish the value of traditional bedding, but the competition is real. This trade needs to evolve to meet people’s changing needs.”
“It’s important to preserve tradition,” he added, “but we also have to keep pace with how people live today.”