Overview
A giveh is a soft slipper-like shoe whose upper is woven or crocheted from strong cotton thread and whose sole is built up from pressed rags, leather, or nowadays rubber. The airy cotton upper keeps the foot cool, and the flexible sole is light and quiet.
How it is worn
It is worn like a light shoe on bare feet or over socks, indoors and out, and traditionally on long journeys for its comfort in dry heat. Making the upper and stitching it to the layered sole are separate skilled crafts passed down in workshop towns.
History
The giveh has been made in Iran for centuries, associated above all with Kermanshah and other western towns, and worn across society for everyday and travel. Long a mark of ordinary Iranian life, it survives as a valued traditional craft and folk costume.