• Customers come from all over Egypt – and even the US – to buy cotton from Salama Mahmoud Salama's traditional yarn colouring shop in Cairo. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Customers come from all over Egypt – and even the US – to buy cotton from Salama Mahmoud Salama's traditional yarn colouring shop in Cairo. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • The dyeing process is precise. It begins with the fabric being levelled out. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    The dyeing process is precise. It begins with the fabric being levelled out. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • The fabric is then dipped into a hot, colour bath. Salt is added to get the tone just right. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    The fabric is then dipped into a hot, colour bath. Salt is added to get the tone just right. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • Once coloured, the cotton is rinsed and then hung outside to dry. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Once coloured, the cotton is rinsed and then hung outside to dry. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • The fabric is used for everything from handmade shoes and suits to rugs and curtains. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    The fabric is used for everything from handmade shoes and suits to rugs and curtains. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • The workshop has been dyeing fabric for almost 120 years. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    The workshop has been dyeing fabric for almost 120 years. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • There used to be lots of dye workshops in Cairo, but now only a handful remain. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    There used to be lots of dye workshops in Cairo, but now only a handful remain. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • Unlike an industrial factory, Salama's workshop can colour as little as half a kilogram at a time. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Unlike an industrial factory, Salama's workshop can colour as little as half a kilogram at a time. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • Competition and rising dye prices have impacted business. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Competition and rising dye prices have impacted business. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • To stay competitive Salama uses firewood instead of fuel to heat the colour baths. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    To stay competitive Salama uses firewood instead of fuel to heat the colour baths. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • Despite threats to the homegrown textile industry, Salama is optimistic about the future. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Despite threats to the homegrown textile industry, Salama is optimistic about the future. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
  • Thanks to his loyal customers, Salama hopes the traditional art of dyeing continues for many years to come. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi
    Thanks to his loyal customers, Salama hopes the traditional art of dyeing continues for many years to come. EPA / Khaled Elfiqi

MENA

A dyeing tradition: inside a yarn colouring workshop in Cairo - in pictures

The fabric business has been operating for almost 120 years and has customers from all over Egypt and even the US

The National

March 18, 2021

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Egypt