Bedouin Sadu Weaving, Lecture, Workshop, and Poster Exhibit at the American University of Kuwait

The Arabian Heritage Project at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) hosted several events on Bedouin Weaving on Sunday, November 15, at 7 pm in AUK's Liberal Arts Auditorium in Salmiya. 

The principle event of the day was a lecture given by Dr. Keireine Canavan, of the University of Wales, titled "Communication & Language of Textiles." The lecture explored some of the meanings, associations and experiences that all humans have been exposed to since birth. Dr. Canavan continued by saying that "cloth greets us on arrival into the world and shrouds us when we leave; in between it carries multiple personal meanings and associations throughout our lives."

This sensuous relationship has particular resonance as people recognize that textiles and related artifacts also have a multiplicity of purpose, meanings and associations within cultural society and history throughout the world, which includes utilitarian, architectural, celebratory, ritualistic and symbolic roles. 

The lecture focused on how textiles communicate information on a number of different levels: through color association and recognized pattern; via uniformity and symbolism; the portrayal of culture and fashion, the desire for decoration and the conveyance of messages and religious beliefs from one to another.

Directly related to previous academic research of traditional Ikat weaving patterns and symbolism in Malaysia and India, the lecture culminated with a series of images related to the current research of Kuwait's Al Sadu weaving motifs, patterns and associated symbolism. 

Weaving is one of the oldest crafts of the Arabian Peninsula, and historically, woven textiles were, arguably, the most important artifacts produced by the Bedu society of Kuwait. With traditional Arab culture under threat of change, and desert life in a state of transition due to the region''s socio-economic developments, the Bedu have lost much of their traditional status, making their craft skills less valued and meaningful, and resulting in the traditional weaving culture changing beyond recognition and driven to near extinction.
 
Bedu women are responsible mainly, for associated weaving traditions and historically they have verbally passed information of weaving techniques, patterns and symbolism from generation to generation, but due to the lack of formal education, little has been recorded or documented by them, although through the language of Al Sadu weaving, the textiles speak for themselves.

Dr. Keireine Canavan is Principal Lecturer and Head of the Textiles Department at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK, and DIGIT, the academic research group of WIRAD, South Wales.

As an artist, weaver and researcher, Dr. Canavan is a leading scholar of Ikat textiles, and has worked closely with Dayak weaving tribespeople in Borneo, Malaysia and Patola weavers in Gujarat, India.

Dr. Canavan is currently on a six month sabbatical from the University of Wales, and is researching the patterns and symbols of Al Sadu weaving at Sadu House, Kuwait, in collaboration with Sheikha Altaf Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah.

Following the lecture there was an open workshop with table looms on Bedouin Weaving, led by traditional weavers. The specialist weavers at the workshop are Patricia Redding, Mutiera Mussalem, and Nawal Atira. All are chief experienced weavers from Sadu House, Kuwait, under the directorship of Sheikha Altaf Al Sabah. Modern interpretations of the evening's events were displayed in a student graphic design poster exhibit that is part of the Arabian Heritage Project Design Competition.

The Graphic Design Student Poster Competition was spirited by Prof. Maryam Hosseinnia and her Graphic Design poster classes at AUK. All photographs used in the posters were taken by the students themselves. All work was prepared from scratch and is completely original.
 
Graphic Design Faculty 

WINNERS of the Arabian Heritage Project Poster Design Award 2009:
First Place: Nora Al-Twaijry
Second Place: Fatma Al-Qames
Third Place: Amina Al-Ezaby
Design title winner: Sara Al-Gharabally
 
Poster design winners 

For more Information, please contact:
Arabian Heritage Project at AUK
Director, Dr. Lisa Urkevich
ArabianHeritage@auk.edu.kw