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The women create items for their friends and family, as well as to earn money for themselves. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Women perform a traditional kind of embroidery known as talli for the Women’s Handicraft Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Al Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin communities in the UAE. The threads are twisted together using a wooden drop spindle. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SVBYXHUICVFQBMQOICQY3ETPFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=236db99a05c762341cec472ab23ad2d1068be6542e89ea02e747309ab49fa2de&width=400&height=225)
Silk threads are woven together to decorate clothing. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MHYPDCWPQBH37AAUNOGEIDIV3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=badfb796ca2ec0f4f4fa34d21a3d695f6bf9424259280bf8bdc108b05d560c0b&width=400&height=225)
Al Sadu involves the use of a wooden shuttle to create geometric patterns for clothing, tents, pillows and carpets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DL3RWIKGRVFPPFIBEWIR7MXMJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa92b1aa47977104ce9c476edd811fce5d81041cc5780e2ef72f195d837b8ce4&width=400&height=225)
A weaving technique known as khoos, which involves braiding palm fronds, is a part of the UAE's ancestral heritage. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M2XFOPTV3FEVLBKINRD2LGSPCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6c6ef7ffe92c7f2ffd3fb2cf81ec63f2df62364b1c0aee8bad54f6f4f99507d2&width=400&height=225)
Women practise the traditional techniques together during the week with hopes of selling some of their creations through the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6T3ESPUEVDEZASK7PEBP4LU3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc970809085d2d25a747abb6fe123b544e9247cb2ec9767d11bc498ef9f25ee&width=400&height=225)
From left, Mariam Al Kabi, Sameeha Ahmed Al Kabi, Nadia Al Shamsi and Ateeja Al Mherbi keep the traditions alive at the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Mariam Al Kabi has used the talli technique to embroider clothing since she was 10. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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The techniques have been passed down from mothers to daughters for generations. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Sameeha Al Kabi says women can learn a wide variety of crafting techniques at the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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The centre offers lessons to anyone interested in learning how to create items such as clothing and cushions using the techniques. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QNT22OGO5BVJOHBPF43Z6KOO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f498b40c0142c3125dee04b403e738680148d6e216114746a2cbfdff09af64f&width=400&height=225)
Nadia Al Shamsi says the women at the centre will teach the crafting methods to the next generation. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Talli was developed by Bedouin communities and is used to decorate clothing. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QHVWZQD7CVFTXE6EJQLH36VHVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d3bcfd1df623c72ccc6cb8577486312b42b6cfce095be439f5703b20dff8c87&width=400&height=225)
The centre is run by the General Women’s Union, which is led by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Weaving and sewing is also a social activity, with the women sharing family news as they work. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZJ3TKJJHVCNXMRJF43XDGSS2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7bf28246f9301ce16bcab983acf499ce6131fb7e45eee810171859260aa1d1ed&width=400&height=225)
The women create items for their friends and family, as well as to earn money for themselves. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5V6YBOSNFBHR3F5W5PTVR2QA24.jpg?smart=true&auth=cab1b80bb0fb5c85dded9cb3742620d7c35bd57e81f1df4fd94e46aa465e05a5&width=400&height=225)
Women perform a traditional kind of embroidery known as talli for the Women’s Handicraft Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XROBH3GVMZCQBI7CWRUK42ONCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cce2836bcf4de5addc0354b7f992d29ff19d5006236fbdfe0cdcccb41ad208eb&width=400&height=225)
Al Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin communities in the UAE. The threads are twisted together using a wooden drop spindle. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SVBYXHUICVFQBMQOICQY3ETPFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=236db99a05c762341cec472ab23ad2d1068be6542e89ea02e747309ab49fa2de&width=400&height=225)
Silk threads are woven together to decorate clothing. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MHYPDCWPQBH37AAUNOGEIDIV3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=badfb796ca2ec0f4f4fa34d21a3d695f6bf9424259280bf8bdc108b05d560c0b&width=400&height=225)
Al Sadu involves the use of a wooden shuttle to create geometric patterns for clothing, tents, pillows and carpets. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DL3RWIKGRVFPPFIBEWIR7MXMJY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa92b1aa47977104ce9c476edd811fce5d81041cc5780e2ef72f195d837b8ce4&width=400&height=225)
A weaving technique known as khoos, which involves braiding palm fronds, is a part of the UAE's ancestral heritage. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M2XFOPTV3FEVLBKINRD2LGSPCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=6c6ef7ffe92c7f2ffd3fb2cf81ec63f2df62364b1c0aee8bad54f6f4f99507d2&width=400&height=225)
Women practise the traditional techniques together during the week with hopes of selling some of their creations through the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6T3ESPUEVDEZASK7PEBP4LU3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fc970809085d2d25a747abb6fe123b544e9247cb2ec9767d11bc498ef9f25ee&width=400&height=225)
From left, Mariam Al Kabi, Sameeha Ahmed Al Kabi, Nadia Al Shamsi and Ateeja Al Mherbi keep the traditions alive at the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XKNEPRABIRAQ5KYC6ECCBJLPG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=523a2794619338dff03616fdc5fd27d1d32d04a514490b1021658c2d68983c94&width=400&height=225)
Mariam Al Kabi has used the talli technique to embroider clothing since she was 10. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XOP3XA2UKNBCVGXWFJNGH726LA.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b7e3b8484aa43e38bf5bcd28ba02003af45280869e5c8987da34b357f8576c8&width=400&height=225)
The techniques have been passed down from mothers to daughters for generations. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7EZSLPVRSVCOJAVCXIRAEDC6HU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e87ceb033e7303d86401c3ecba63e2fcf458ec08696660026eb14e3ace1be01b&width=400&height=225)
Sameeha Al Kabi says women can learn a wide variety of crafting techniques at the centre. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HH2Z3ASZRNGIPHSO3CPF3EOERM.jpg?smart=true&auth=b056da650df93b4c75296b2d122237910b25280ec6cfe371bec1c9c82795badd&width=400&height=225)
The centre offers lessons to anyone interested in learning how to create items such as clothing and cushions using the techniques. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4QNT22OGO5BVJOHBPF43Z6KOO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f498b40c0142c3125dee04b403e738680148d6e216114746a2cbfdff09af64f&width=400&height=225)
Nadia Al Shamsi says the women at the centre will teach the crafting methods to the next generation. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCSYSKJKVJC6TJ2IVGX6UUWUHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=871319c9926373ef7246315a74937fab94d54ab8b1e42c3dc0714d7d2c2ba7f1&width=400&height=225)
Talli was developed by Bedouin communities and is used to decorate clothing. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QHVWZQD7CVFTXE6EJQLH36VHVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d3bcfd1df623c72ccc6cb8577486312b42b6cfce095be439f5703b20dff8c87&width=400&height=225)
The centre is run by the General Women’s Union, which is led by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAPXDS52ANFJJDDF4ODHPXEINI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ec5e829de77dbe4e128a03806ce699dfc627062a4710095e2c1a56d0860133e7&width=400&height=225)
Weaving and sewing is also a social activity, with the women sharing family news as they work. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OZJ3TKJJHVCNXMRJF43XDGSS2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7bf28246f9301ce16bcab983acf499ce6131fb7e45eee810171859260aa1d1ed&width=400&height=225)
The women create items for their friends and family, as well as to earn money for themselves. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Abu Dhabi artisans preserving Bedouin skills
Women’s Handicraft Centre celebrates age-old techniques passed down from mothers to daughters
Khushnum Bhandari
26 August, 2021
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