Today's Edition
RAIED SHUQUM (ABU DHABI)
Nestled within the historic Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, the House of Artisans stands as a vibrant tribute to the UAE's rich cultural heritage. The permanent exhibition celebrates traditional Emirati crafts and artisanship, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
It was established as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi's (DCT Abu Dhabi)initiative to preserve and promote Emirati heritage. Officially inaugurated in April 2021, this cultural hub serves as a tribute to traditional UAE crafts and artisanship.
The initiative aims to revive centuries-old skills that were historically vital for trade and daily life, while also educating the public about their cultural significance. By creating a dedicated space at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest historic landmark, DCT Abu Dhabi seeks to connect modern audiences with the artistic ingenuity of Emirati ancestors. The House of Artisans serves as a platform for artisans to showcase their work, pass on their knowledge through workshops, and inspire contemporary interpretations of these crafts.
The three unique Emirati crafts showcased at the House of Artisans – Al Sadu, Khoos, and Talli – are deeply rooted in the UAE's history and culture. Each craft reflects the resourcefulness and creativity of Emirati communities, shaped by their environment and way of life.
Al Sadu is a traditional weaving technique practiced by Bedouin women, dating back centuries. It involves spinning and weaving camel hair, goat wool, or sheep wool into textiles used for tents (Bayt Al-She'r), cushions, carpets, and camel accessories.
The weaving is done on horizontal ground looms using a warp-faced plain weave, creating durable textiles adorned with geometric patterns in black, white, red, brown, and beige. These patterns often symbolise the desert environment and tribal identity. Historically, Al Sadu was a communal activity where women gathered to spin yarn, exchange stories, and chant poetry. This practice also served as a means of transmitting skills to younger generations. However, urbanisation and social changes have led to its decline. Today, it is recognised as an endangered craft and was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2011.
Khoos, another ancient craft, involves weaving dried palm fronds into functional household items like baskets, mats, fans, and lids. This craft reflects the importance of date palms in Emirati life, as they provided essential resources for survival in the arid desert environment.
Both men and women contribute to this craft – men harvest the palm fronds while women weave them into intricate designs. The process of Khoos weaving requires immense skill and patience. Artisans often dye the fronds with natural pigments to add vibrant colours and patterns to their creations. While industrialisation has reduced the demand for handmade items, efforts to preserve Khoos continue through workshops and cultural initiatives.
Talli is a traditional decorative embroidery craft that has been practiced by Emirati women for generations. The word "Talli" derives from the Turkish term for "shining thread", reflecting its use of metallic threads like gold or silver combined with colourful cotton threads. Women use this technique to decorate the collars, cuffs, and hems of garments such as kandura (robes) and sirwal (trousers).
The designs often feature bright colours like red, green, black, and white. Historically, Talli was a domestic craft passed down informally from mothers to daughters or learned during social gatherings where women shared stories and exchanged techniques.
During periods like the pearl-diving season when men were away, women would dedicate time to creating Talli pieces as both an artistic outlet and a means of preserving wealth – precious metals in Talli could be melted down if needed.
Despite challenges posed by mass production, organisations like the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, which aims to empower women artisans and preserve crafts across the MENASEA and Central Asia regions have revitalised Talli by empowering female artisans through training programmes.
These crafts represent the UAE's diverse landscapes – desert, oases, coast, and sea – and showcase the creative relationship between Emirati people and their natural resources. The House of Artisans also offers workshops and interactive experiences to preserve and promote these traditional art forms.
Designed collaboratively by Dutch exhibition architects Kossmanndejong and experience design studio Tellart, the exhibition immerses visitors in an interactive experience. Artisans demonstrate their skills on-site, allowing visitors to engage directly with traditional techniques while exploring the cultural stories behind them. Workshops and courses further invite participants to learn these crafts hands-on.
