A CRAFTSWOMAN and a palm tree caretaker came together to tell stories about their vocations, answer questions about products made out of palm tree fronds and explain how the perfect plant has weaved its way into the hearts of a nation.
Part of a series of talks about Bahraini crafts, the ‘Talk with a Craftsman’ event was organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca).
It was held in the House of Basket Weaving in Al Qal’aa village, located right next to Bahrain Fort, and was attended by a small but dedicated and inquisitive audience.
Craftswoman Zainab Abduljabbar has been weaving palm tree fronds (saff al khous) for nearly three decades, learning the trade from her mother, grandmother and aunts.
Similarly, nakhlawi (palm tree caretaker) Sayed Saleh Jafar has been tending to palms and farming their fruit since his childhood, as it is still a common profession in his village of Abu Saiba.
Throughout the talk, the duo described in detail the interconnected trades and the full process that begins with planting the tree to creating the final products.
It begins with nakhlawis like Mr Jafar, who harvest the raw material to create baskets, mats, fans and more.
The craftswoman later explained how the fronds are processed, dyed and plied to make beautiful and useful utensils, household items and ornaments.
Moderator Ahmed Behzad asked the two to define and elaborate on various names of the different parts of a palm tree’s anatomy.
“The palm tree is the basis of nearly all Bahraini crafts,” Ms Abduljabbar said. “Baskets, cages, ropes, construction, all use different parts of it.
“Bahrainis completely relied on the palm tree for everything in life. It had and still has a special place in the hearts of everyone in this land.”
The artisan from Meqsha told the GDN that she picked up the trade by watching elders in her family, along with neighbours, learning intricate and difficult patterns by joining them on nightly weaving get-togethers.
Although she did not pay much attention to the craft at first, she said that she eventually quit her hairdressing job and in 2002 started taking weaving seriously.
“Experts in some traditional patterns, like the mahhafa (fan), can be counted on one hand,” she said.
“That’s why I’m teaching workshops to groups of women who are interested in keeping the art alive.
“I want to create an heir for my trade, to pass on my knowledge.”
Although her sisters and aunts have all but abandoned weaving, she said that her daughter has started to learn.
Unlike Ms Abduljabbar’s area of expertise, nakhlawi Mr Jafar said that his vocation is alive and well among young people in his village.
“In Abu Saiba, large numbers of young people are working in agriculture and growing palm trees,” he told the GDN. “They propagate palms and implant them where needed.
“My cousins all work in the field of tending to palm trees, however, the trade is on the decline, though, since most places that were once full of trees have now become residential areas.
“Also, a lot of people have left traditional jobs in favour of studying and becoming employees.”
Mr Jafar previously worked in the government sector as a specialist in treating palm trees of the scourge of weevil infestations. Nowadays, the retired tree doctor is still in demand in the community helping with seasonal pollination and pruning them to keep them healthy in family gardens.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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