Handmade fabric dolls at the Jordan River Foundation, Bani Hamida Mountain, Jordan.
A weaver puts finishing touches on a rust-coloured rug featuring numerous patterns.
Last December my daughter Jordana and I made an impromptu visit to the Jordan River Foundation. The women were kind enough to give us tea, as well as allow us access to their showroom and their work area. Of course, a couple of beautiful handmade rugs came home with us!
The Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project has revived traditional Bedouin rug weaving in the Makawir community, with older women teaching rug-weaving techniques to younger generations. The effort was initiated in 1985 by Save the Children Federation. In 1998, the project was absorbed into the Jordan River Foundation. Women in several villages now help maintain the Jordanian rug-weaving tradition.With hand-made looms and wooden spindles, the women create flat weave designs in pure wool. The colours and patterns result in stylish looks that blend beautifully with modern design, while remaining true to Jordan’s traditional rug-making techniques.
To date, the Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project has utilised the skills of nearly 2000 Jordanian women, including spinners, weavers and dyers. These talented women produce unique, artistic designs renowned around the world.
Close-up detail of the rug panels.
Stacks of handmade rugs.
Trimming fringe on a small rug.
A container of rugs and wall-hangings.
A decorative wall-hanging.
Rugs in variations of browns, rusts and creams.
Aqua, rust and cream patterns.
Rusts, yellows, blues and greens in these rugs and wall-hangings.
Strong primary colours are dominant in these rugs and wall-hangings adorned by thick yarn tassels.
Scroll down the page for a post about the Bani Hamida weavers' yarn and wooden spindles.
does the wool come from local sheep?
Posted by: Maria Varela | 16 February 2010 at 00:32
These rugs remind me of the rugs in Mexico! Such an amazing artwork! Thanks!
Posted by: Alisa | 03 February 2010 at 21:12
What a treasure of color and texture. I simply can't imagine what it does to the senses to see that all in one place! Beautifully captured!
Posted by: jeanie | 03 February 2010 at 19:24
Beautiful! How wonderful that this organization was formed for the women to develop an income. I love yarns and woven pieces and these are really special.
Posted by: Marilyn | 02 February 2010 at 23:18
oh my goodness. eye candy for me, who should have been at my 3rd weaving lesson this evening (it was canceled because of the snow storm). so much gorgeousness! i'd love to visit that place!
Posted by: julochka | 02 February 2010 at 20:13
It's wonderful that you and Jordana were invited to witness this beautiful ancient craft and to see it passed down. Rugs from this part of the world are the gold standard for ALL rugs. A REAL rug made by hand is an art form, art for the floor.
The dolls at the market are charming. Very inspiring too! Thanks for taking me along Tara.
Hugs to you
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 02 February 2010 at 17:51
All the color and texture of these rugs just make me sing! I LOVE seeing glimpses of these projects that are empowering women to continue the traditions and make a living at the same time.
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | 02 February 2010 at 16:43
Thank you for being a champion of the creativity of women. You have a wonderful aesthetic eye and invariably you focus on the beauty of the hand made world. Thank you for this beautiful post!
Posted by: Patricia | 02 February 2010 at 15:36
Fabulous, fabulous designs....I would be a kid in a candy factory sorting through all those stacks of textiles!!!!
Posted by: Theresa Cheek | 02 February 2010 at 14:51
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever" ... The colors, the skills, the initiative itself - all gorgeous. Thank you for sharing these photos.
Posted by: Barbara | 02 February 2010 at 14:45
W.O.W. !!!
I enjoy the work of bona fide artisans. These are gorgeous! Thanks for always sharing such lovely photos of other cultures.
hope you are doing well.
Posted by: Se'lah | 02 February 2010 at 14:23
how difficult
it would be for me to select only one or even two.
this is what interests me:
--->older women teaching rug-weaving techniques
to younger generations.
as a child i sat at my grandmother's knee
and helped her as she made braided and crocheted rugs.
who does that now?
Posted by: somepinkflowers | 02 February 2010 at 05:42
Tara they are breath taking.
Posted by: Yoli | 02 February 2010 at 02:38
Very skilled, aren't they?
These are works of art! I was thinking before I read that they create wall hangings, that I would love to hang a rug from the wall...they are that pretty.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 01 February 2010 at 23:27