Al Sadu Weaving

An ethnographic study of the reconstitution of al-Sadu in Qatar. With help of Shaima Sherif (shaima@embracedoha.com/, Amal Al Shamari (amal @embracedoha.com),

One of the main components of the Majlis exhibition is the Al Sadu weaving craft practised by Bedouin women. Al Sadu is a horizontal weaving style: it features ancient geometric patterns that echo colours and shapes of the desert. Caravane Foundation is conducting extensive research and documentation of the craft with the aim of preserving it for the future generations.

The research aims to identify and document the form of al-Sadu weaving practice specific to Qatar. It will also assess how al-Sadu is used to recount the socio-cultural histories in the Qatari community and finally find out the conservation practices of safeguarding al-Sadu for posterity.

The methodology approach to this research is done through the following methods: In-depth qualitative interviews and analysing the context of the weavers environment, participant observation, historical material research, audio/film recordings, a workshop around the table. We conduct a uniq way of involving the weavers into the exhibition: it was the first time they gather together to make a communal work on the tent textiles. The way of our approach was to let them make the best what they can do, to inspire them to showcase their skills with the original and traditional technics of the work they done.

We produced 360 metres of Sadu textiles for the Majlis exhibition, and the next step was to make a book with the interviews and the research materials.