art of embroidery in palestine
Art of embroidery in Palestine
Culture is a description of a certain way of life, which expresses certain meanings and values, not only in art and learning but also in institutions and ordinary behavior. Raymond Williams suggests that, culture is one of the two or three most complicated words in the English language (Williams 1976:76).Ultimately the word culture comes from the Latin word colere, meaning to inhabit, to cultivate, to protect and to honor with worship. From this word the word cultura developed. As William says, culture is " the body of intellectual and imaginative work ' in which human experience is recorded (Williams 1961: 57).
Fashion, clothing and dress are cultural phenomena, as it is to say that cloths make a statement. Therefore, Palestinian embroidery is more than just an art or a craft it’s an integral part of the Palestinian geographical and cultural landscape
Palestinian embroidery can be divided into four categories. The first category is Ritual; the second category is technical, while the third and the fourth categories are geographical and structural. It must be noted that, however that the whole tradition of embroidery in Palestine had revolved around bridal preparation. Every bride should wear a Palestinian embroidered dress that represents her region in the henna ceremony.
Historically, both the Bedouin and the fellahin women made their own costumes. While Bedouin women usually bought their garment fabrics readymade, village women wove and dyed some of their fabrics. Traditional Palestinian embroidery was typically produced by village and Bedouin women rather than town dwellers, who have usually worn western or ottoman attire. The majority was usually bought in the towns or direct from the various weaving centers in Palestine. Women would then assemble the garment and decorate it in the style of their region or village. Among both Bedouin and fellahin societies, costumes would then be passed to younger members of the family.
Culture is a description of a certain way of life, which expresses certain meanings and values, not only in art and learning but also in institutions and ordinary behavior. Raymond Williams suggests that, culture is one of the two or three most complicated words in the English language (Williams 1976:76).Ultimately the word culture comes from the Latin word colere, meaning to inhabit, to cultivate, to protect and to honor with worship. From this word the word cultura developed. As William says, culture is " the body of intellectual and imaginative work ' in which human experience is recorded (Williams 1961: 57).
Fashion, clothing and dress are cultural phenomena, as it is to say that cloths make a statement. Therefore, Palestinian embroidery is more than just an art or a craft it’s an integral part of the Palestinian geographical and cultural landscape
Palestinian embroidery can be divided into four categories. The first category is Ritual; the second category is technical, while the third and the fourth categories are geographical and structural. It must be noted that, however that the whole tradition of embroidery in Palestine had revolved around bridal preparation. Every bride should wear a Palestinian embroidered dress that represents her region in the henna ceremony.
Historically, both the Bedouin and the fellahin women made their own costumes. While Bedouin women usually bought their garment fabrics readymade, village women wove and dyed some of their fabrics. Traditional Palestinian embroidery was typically produced by village and Bedouin women rather than town dwellers, who have usually worn western or ottoman attire. The majority was usually bought in the towns or direct from the various weaving centers in Palestine. Women would then assemble the garment and decorate it in the style of their region or village. Among both Bedouin and fellahin societies, costumes would then be passed to younger members of the family.
Bibliography: 1. 1. Skinner, M. (2007) Palestinian embroidery motifs: a treasury of stitches 1850 -1950.London, England: Melisende publishing rimal publications. 2. Barnard, M. (2002) Fashion as communication. United States and Canada: routledge. 3. William, R. (1976) keywords, Glasgow: Fontana. 4. William, R. (1981) culture, Glasgow: Fontana/ Collins. By :H.S. Year :2013