Al Sadu Textiles – Dr Keireine Canavan

Traditional Al Sadu Ibjad or Gata Textile: Ornate Tent Divider with Shajarah Patterns

 

Above is a beautiful Al Sadu woven textile, that I acquired a few years ago.  

All weaving yarns are hand spun on spindles and traditionally dyed with natural dyes from desert plants, although chemical dyes are more commonly used nowadays.  The black and white patterns in the central section or ‘shajarah’, are largely geometric designs, and dictated in part by the limitations of the simple floor loom used.   However, all the patterns have names and specific meanings and symbolism, though little is documented.  The patterns are not confined within border patterns, but stretch on endlessly, representing something of the enormity of the Arabian deserts.  

Keireine