Bandar Lengeh, in Hormozgan province, has a historical past. This city and its area were called “Gogana” during the Achaemenid period, and it was an important port that, like now-a-days, promoted trade in the Persian Gulf area. This historical role continued throughout the centuries, making this city and its port an essential and valuable place. Bandar Lengeh should be considered a major port in the Persian Gulf area and its islands. Bandar Lengeh also maintained its economic and commercial importance in a time closer to our time. During the Qajar era, it was known as the leader of Iran’s commercial ports. With regular arrival and departure of goods ships trade was boosted in this port. The Bazaar (market) of this port was the most important reason for the commercial prosperity of the city and its surrounding areas. Bandar Lengeh Bazaar has rare values not only from the historical point of view but also from the economic point of view.
Bandar Lengeh Bazaar is called “Masah” and sometimes “Masaa.” This bazaar, built in the middle of the city, is called Masah because it has a well-planned and geometric structure. In Arabic Masah means designer or surveyor. The well-planned geometric structure of the bazaar gave the name “Masah” to this bazaar. This name was unfamiliar to the natives and Farsi speakers of Bandar Lengeh, and they called it “Masaa”; It means “evening”! The accurate and correct name of the Bandar Lengeh market is Masah instead of Masaa.
Features of Bandar Lengeh market
Bandar Lengeh market has existed ancient times in Iran, and this port has always been a place for economic transactions. However, the current market was built between 1280 and 1292 during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. Like most traditional markets in Iran, its design is a corridor with shops on both sides that number up to one hundred units. The wood must be constantly restored and maintained to last against rains and monsoons. This work has unfortunately been neglected in the past decades.
Due to negligence, in Bahman 1394 (February 2015), the wooden roof of Masah bazaar was on the verge of collapse. However, at the same time, the city officials tried to rebuild the roof and floor of the market. 80% of the market structure is old and needs to be revived (Dana website report).
In the past and even today, temporary markets were called “bazargah” and built without a roof or had a canopy of wood and leafy branches of trees. In areas with a dry climate, the bazaars were constructed without a brick roof and covered with wood and buria. The point here is that markets with wooden covering were flat. In contrast, bazaars built with brick had dome shaped ceilings, because with bricks it was not possible to have flat roof in wide openings. In some cities, even permanent markets were not covered. Of course, such markets are very few; it was common for market builders to roof the markets. Another point is that in markets like Masah Bandar Lange, whose roof was made of wood and buria, the air inside the structure was warmed by the sun’s rays, so they sprinkled water on the floor of the market and thus created pleasant air inside and reduced the heat caused by the sun’s rays.
Despite all the obvious damages that we mentioned, this market has preserved its ever-lasting value. It is the pulse of the city’s trade. It plays a part in bringing and taking goods to other cities and provinces of the country and continues its historical use. Especially in the west of Hormozgan province, it is known as an essential market and provides many needs of the people. Apart from that, the shops of the market, which still haven’t lost their ancient and historical atmosphere, are a sight to behold and a reminder of its centuries-old past. Bazaz, attars, confectioners, bakers, and craftsmen draw the people to this historic bazaar of the city and thus life goes on thriving.
