After the quick introductory about Sadu House (link), and a glimpse at some of the exhibitors there (link), we will take a look at their mini museum

The Bedouin Weaving… the above picture shows what “Bayt Al Sha’ar” -house of hair- look like. It used to be the home/shelter for the bedouin in the desert. Women in the tribe would work hand-in-hand to weave, sew, and finish up the tent. It was a functional structure that is easy to move and carry, adapting to the nomadic lifestyle… What else was woven? Storage bags, decorative tent dividers, camel decorations, and trappings were also made… the size and number of which would tell a lot about the wealth and status of the tent owner.

The other room shows the spinning process of joining fibers together into strong yarn. What do they use? Sheep’s wool, goat and camel hair, cotton, and man-made fibers (nylon and acrylic) in their weaving. The sheep’s wool is the most plentiful and popular to use, though camel hair is more valuable. Goat hair is long, strong, and more difficult to spin and is never dyed… thus it is mainly used for tent roofs as the natural oils within sheds water. Cotton is easy to weave and use, and man-made fibers are mainly used in binding edges and for decorative tassels

Fiber to be spun is placed on a long stick (taghzal), held under spinner’s arm or between her feet, using a drop spindle (meghzal).. it can be plyed- two or more threads twisted together into thicker and stronger yarn!

The coloring of the threads can be made by using natural dyes (pomegranate skin, roots, henna, flowers…etc)

Or chemical dyes

Moving on to another section…. a documentary to be shown explaining the many processes

Notice anything here? The mix between the nomadic desert and weaving with sea life 😉

The ornamentation! Decorative braids and tassels

Decorative braids and tassels are often attached to finished pieces… used as hangings on the walls, camel bags, trappings, and saddle bags

Cowrie shells, stones, and buttons are also used.

And now to weaving clothes…

Men Cloak (Bisht) above, and women Cloak below…

You see, there are different names and styles given to each cloak…

To tailor a bisht, as much as seven yarns of fabric may be needed to finish it up. Coarse sheep’s wool was used in garments known as al mazwiyya or bisht badia mainly worn by the bedouin.

Now check this dress out – it caught my attention, although not weaved… but it is a remake of the original, what used to be made for brides… check out all the details

To be continued…..

For more you can check their website http://www.alsadu.org.kw/index2.html – Follow them on Twitter/Instagram @SaduHouse – (LIKE) their Facebook Page – Tel: 22432395