Transformations in the Textile Industry of Gaza and al-Majdal

Seminar

Speaker: Dr. Rashad al-Madani
Sunday, 6 May| 11:00 – 12:30
Place: the Islamic University, Gaza/Conferences Hal,
Tayba Building

Among the many characteristics that distinguish the Gazan embroidered dress from other dresses belonging to different regions in Historic Palestine, the historical value of its textile is what renders it unique. Dr. Rashad al-Madani, a researcher in the fields of oral history and Palestinian heritage, will discuss the developments that the textile industry has witnessed in Gaza and al-Majdal. Such developments manifested in Palestinian traditional customs and the oral history narrated around the textile industry such as Palestinian folkloric songs pre the 1948 Nakbah.

The seminar will also shed light on the transformations that occurred to the raw materials used in the textile industry post the Nakbah and how the industry has gradually shifted from al-Majdal to Gaza to ultimately disappear. This declared the end of a craft that not only generated income for many Palestinians but also carried a great historical value. The seminar will be moderated by the Gazan writer, Ghareeb al-Asqalani, and the Collections Registrar at the Palestinian Museum, Baha al-Jubeh via video conference from Ramallah.

The talk will be in Arabic.