The 'konafah' was introduced in Egypt during the Fatimid period. The maximum consumption of 'konafah' is in the holy month of Ramadan. After their breakfast in sunset time; Muslims prefer to eat the 'konafah' as dessert. In this month the bakers get the most revenue from this traditions. The baker prepares the dough of water and flour used in baking 'konafah' in a big pot. He then pours the dough using a scoop in a perforated cup. He then pours the dough on the stove. The stove used for … Read more
Alkhiamiah Alkhiamiah traditional fabric handicraft
The 'Khiamiah' handcraft is one of the oldest crafts, that emerged in Muiz street in Cairo. This craft became most famous during the Fatimid period in Egypt. The 'Khiamiha' craftsmen were actually part of the fabric industry in Egypt. The tools used in this craft are the 'costiban' - which is a copper piece the craftsman wears on his middle finger to protect it from the needle - blades, pencils, colored strings, scissors, needle, talc powder, colored fabric and hard paper. The stages of the … Read more
Bookbinding Traditional hand-made bookbinding
There are several types of bookbinding, ranging from normal to luxurious forms. Bookbinding can be done with paper, leather, gauze, light metal sheets and wood. There are various tools and materials linked to this industry including; paper, cardboard, leather, glue, mixture of water, flour and alum, linoleum, iron, gold solution, gauze, pins, cutter, puncher and sponge. The stages of the bookbinding process are as follows: gathering the book sections, assembly and knitting, hammering, 80 gm … Read more
Souk Seasonal open-air market place
Generally a Souk is a market or a part of a market in an open space that exists especially in North Africa and the Middle East. The idea is having a Souk that opens one day per week for people from all the regions around, on a weekend for example. People bring what they make (Tagines, Tamena, cotton made stuff…) to sell them or whatever they have to sell. It raises the economy of the village and enables people to reconnect and relax while seeing, buying and selling goods. A Souk or Souq entails … Read more
Baskets from Olive Tree Twigs Weaving baskets and bowls from Olive tree twigs
Olive twigs are very sturdy and strong. Currently, most pruned olive trees generate so many clippings and cuttings that farmers are burning them without knowing how to best use them in other ways. A traditional method prevents cuttings from being burnt by soaking them in water in big barrels to make them supple and then using them for weaving. Knowledge is passed on from one generation to another of the traditional craft of weaving sturdy and beautiful baskets from olive twigs. This has … Read more
Traditional Costumes as Cultural Heritage Embroidery and cultural preservation
Embroidery expresses and preserves the cultural identity and heritage of communities around the world. It promotes awareness of the importance of handicrafts in shaping and solidifying identity. Embroidery's unique shapes, colors and textures can identify the origins of the craftsmen/women and the surrounding environment that is reflected in their work. Common patterns can embody the rich history and culture of the land and the people, providing a beautiful illustration of communities past and … Read more
Farmers Markets in the Heart of the City Providing direct consumer-producer space in the urban central
To empower local Palestinian farmers, Farmers markets are set up to provide a platform for local organic farmers to have a direct connection with urban consumers living in the city, to ensure that local produce is being sold and promoted in the cities of the West Bank. By opening weekly farmers’ market, conscious consumers, who value the quality and source of food they eat, have the perfect spot to meet local producers and buy their fresh seasonal products. This empowers the organic producers … Read more
Beduin hand crafts Creating sustainable handcraft projects for women
This is a way of creating a sustainable community where women can create their own living and generate income for the whole community. An example of such a project is beduincraft.com, where local crafts are produced and sold. Examples of what is produced are TENTS & TRADITIONAL WEAVING. The tent is usually full of woven and beaded decoration, all designed by highly creative women. The unique embroidery, beading and weaving work of the Bedouin women was once strongly embedded in everyday life. … Read more
Strawrice basket weaving Community handcraft project
Basket weaving is yet another distinct form of weaving practiced by a number of traditional communities around Egypt. The making of baskets is a craft that has emerged as a direct result of the environment in the Dakhla Oasis. The baskets, which are made out of palm trees, reflect a natural oasis environment rich with these very palm trees. In the year 2000, Markaz began working with the local residents of the Dakhla Oasis on reviving basket weaving crafts through a local partner. Baskets … Read more
Rug Carpets Artful creation of knotted rugs
The gradual spread of the art of the knotted carpet, over the centuries, around the globe has proved to be a hindrance in solving the mystery of its origin. However, many different carpet fragments have unearthed during excavations around the world. Strong evidence collected from the Middle East region shows that carpet weaving was extensively carried out there during the 2nd-3rd BC. Therefore, it is termed as the cradle of carpet weaving. People migrating to areas from Turkestan to the west, … Read more
