Al Sawwaf Company specialises in an endangered weaving method of rugs and carpet making. The Sawwaf family, which literally translated to “the wool weaver”, has preserved this profession for generations. The craft actually dates back to the times of prophet Daaoud (David). The carpets are handmade from sheep wool using a traditional tool known as Nol.
Abu Hanafi became a legend as we was dubbed “the last Sawwaf in Palestine”. He inherited the work and skills from his father and he states that the profession has been running for hundreds of years in his family. What remains unchanged is the traditional weaving using the Nol, which has been used for generations and produces the distinct rugs he and his family have become famous for. The family also produces the wool used for the rugs as they rear sheep for a continuous supply, thus both professions have developed in parallel to one another. However, wool was also imported from Egypt, which was processed and prepared into threads in Gaza until 1967. Since the Nol is a manual machine, the electricity cuts and shortages facing the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli siege do not affect the production and preservation of this local artisanship.
Abu Hanafi remains one of the last few weavers using the Nol. He shares his concern that this hand weaving is a dying profession, especially with the flooding of the market with imported poor-quality rugs. Despite this, he also shares how Palestinians and foreigners alike continue to visit his shop and purchase these unique rugs. This is why Abu Hanafi does not always stick to traditional patterns or colours but creates customised pieces depending on customers’ request and style.
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Product Selling Points: On location.