[swellcat]

Right. The wrapping thing would seem to trap/retain moisture. Maybe that makes sense in very arid conditions.

. . . peppers are picked and cut, dried in the sun by day, then wrapped and sweated at night for more than a week. This sweating process gives the chiles a rich, earthy flavor and smoky aroma. — http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/spices/chilurfa.html