Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving

Negev

Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving, established in 1991, is a project of Sidreha non-profit organization with the mission to support the Palestinian-Bedouin woman in the Negev (a desert area in the south of Israel) in her pursuit of the full realization of herself and her rights as well as those of her community. The project provides women with an opportunity to develop the traditional skills of spinning and weaving the wool, to acquire new roles and skills in dyeing, production and business management, and to earn incomes through the work.

Negev Bedouin are the descendants of ancient, nomadic tribes whose roots are traced back to the Sinai and the Arabian Peninsula. Their traditional livelihood consisted of herding and transporting people and goods across the desert. Today, they struggle to protect their traditional livelihood against the loss of their lands and modernization. Initiative such as Sidreh strive to empower this indigenous minority group who suffers from various socio-economic issues.

The weaving has traditionally been women's work, for making tents, rugs, camel bags, belts, lafehs (a long belt to tie the hair), grain sacks and other household products. Lakiya's rugs are hand woven outdoors on traditional ground looms using the wool of local Awasi sheep. By increasing demand for their weaving, the Project strives to revive and preserve a craft central to Bedouin social and cultural heritage. Lakiya incorporates traditional patterns and colors in contemporary home decor items, such as floor rugs, tapestries, and cushions.


Lakiya Bedouin Weaving - Sidreh
PO Box 1588, Omer, Israel
 Tel: (+972) 08-651-9883 
 Fax: (+972) 08-651-3038 
 [email protected]
 http://www.sidreh.org