“Mazari” or “Hannasaei”, an ancient craft, has left behind material remains attributed to it in cities such as Yazd, Bam, and Zahedan along the Spice Route. They played a significant role in the culture and economy of cities like Yazd for centuries, contributing to the production of goods such as henna and other plant products, which were part of the diet, medicine, and hygiene of the people of Yazd. The remnants of the Mazari in Yazd date back to before the Qajar era and are located in the Mirchakhmaq neighborhood. During the Pahlavi era, due to health and legal issues, the Mazari were relocated to the Atabaki neighborhood, leading to significant changes in their foundation. The research problem emphasizes the need for deeper information on the physical and functional characteristics of the Mazari. Currently, many of them are undergoing repurposing and abandonment, and a few are facing inappropriate alterations. The research aims to understand the craft and architecture of Hannasaei in a city like Yazd. This paper attempts to explore questions about the evolutionary trajectory of the Mazari and the factors influencing it, using an interpretive method and a historical-interpretive approach.
The study concludes that the process of physical and functional transformation of the Mazari in Yazd can be examined across four periods: Qajar, First Pahlavi, Second Pahlavi, and the present day. Four significant factors: “environmental and health-related, economic, managerial and legal, and social and cultural” have greatly influenced this transformation. Cities like Yazd can benefit from international experiences in this field by establishing henna revitalization centers with stakeholder and participant collaboration, thereby enhancing the role of these complexes in both domestic and international economies and addressing existing challenges.