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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
  

As part of its 4th Annual Social Awareness Week, the Office of Student Life at AUK hosted UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Dr. Salah Bourjini on the occasion of Human Rights Day. This lecture is part of a series held during Social Awareness Week whereby everyday is dedicated to a subjected matter that is universally socially relevant. The Topics include Save Our Resources Day, Tolerance Day, Human Rights Day, Hunger and Poverty Day and finally Community Service Day. 

The lecture began with a history of the United Nations as a whole and the many specialized agencies that came to be, including one of the most important agencies dealing with sustainable Human Development, the UNDP, which is represented in 166 countries. Dr. Bourjini then focused on the history and role of the UNDP stating that, "It is important to mention that UNDP is working in almost all parts of the world in the out posts of the development fronts and at all national levels, regional and global dealing especially with important areas as in the fight against poverty, dealing with climate change and achieving equality between the sexes."

Dr. Bourjini then narrowed his attention to human development in the Arab world naming the various obstacles in the face of development in this region. Dr. Bourjini continued by saying, "There are enormous challenges facing Arab Countries today, they must find a way to improve their situation. There is a need to define priorities, scope and tools for improving and enhancing development."

Some experts have retained seven dimensions of threat to the Arab Region, these are:

1. People and their insecure environment include: demographic pressures, water scarcity, desertification, pollution and climate change.
2. The state and its insecure people: Citizenship, adherence to international charters, problem of Human Rights, constitutional falling, legal restrictions of political parties, obstruction of justice. 
3. Violence against women 
4. High unemployment and persisting poverty 
5. Hunger and food insecurity 
6. Health security
7. Occupations and wars: (Palestine and Iraq)

Dr. Salah Bourjini got his PhD in Economics Development and Growth from Kansas University, USA in 1972. After serving as an Engineer in the Ministry of Planning in Tunisia and as a University Professor, Dr. Bourjini served as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Algeria, Iraq, Libya and Kuwait. He also served as an Advisor for international NGOs.