Jamaa‘in Women‘s Society was established in 1996 as a grassroots initiative in the village of Jamaain, in the Nablus district in the northen West Bank.  The village is home to 6000 people, and is known for the stone-cutting industry and agriculture.

The society provides a variety of social and eductational courses and activities for the women, covereing the issues such as health, law, women‘s rights, domestic violence, in cooperation with 38 local institutions across the West Bank.  It also runs a computer center and library serving women and children in the village, while providing income generation opporunity through the traditional basketry.

Basketry is another cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations in Palestinian farming communities.  Baskets, trays, containers and other items used in the household and faming were woven by the women in their own homes.  They used the materials found abundunt in their surroundings, such as wheat straws, braches of olives, almonds and fruit trees.     

Jamaain is one of the few villages in Palestine that have retained the basketry tradition.  The village women start learing at a young age the art of basket weaving from their mothers and grandmothers.   While traditional techniques and designs are handed down, each woman shows off her creativity and artistic taste in the use of colors and pattern in each item.  

Contact Jamaain Women‘s Society
Ahlam Ali, Director
Telefax: 09-259-6990
Email: ahlamali@yahoo.com


View their products on Sunbula Online Craft Market