Nasijona Cooperative

   The beautiful story of Nasijona is at the heart of what this guidebook is all about. Strengthening the social fabric of society by connecting and empowering women through the revival of traditional handicrafts. Violete Khoury, the founder of Nasijona, was determined to do something about the dying craft of needle work. After a woman approached her and shared her concern that she might be one of the last women who specialised in the needle work, Violete decided to take the initiative and start Nasijona in 2014. Nazareth is a melting pot of people from different religions and backgrounds as it has become the de facto Arab Palestinian capital after the Nakba in 1948. About 75% of the population of Nazareth is made up of internal refugees from other Palestinian areas, bringing an abundance and richness of cultural practices and traditional knowledge. After decades of systematic dispossession of Palestinians and attempts to erase their identity and belonging, Violete explains how “we [Palestinian] are the best asset we have left”. Nasijona came as heed to the call to save what remains of the unique societal bonds and traditions of Nazarethan families. Nasijona is much more than just women working with fabric (Nasij), but aims to strengthen and revive the social fabric (Nasij Ijtima’i) which ties a wonderful group of ladies from Nazareth together. Nasijona aims to preserve local culture, develop it, produce it and market it with a focus on women. One of the most heartwarming and inspiring activities by Nasijona is one where grandmothers introduce stitching practices to their grandchildren, sharing and passing on ancestral knowledge about the craft, Nazarethean and Galilee history, and traditions while connecting the younger generations to their land and history.

   The main objective of the cooperative is to preserve the cultural traditions unique to Nazareth and passing them on to the next generation as a tool of preserving Palestinian identity. Rejecting the spiralling descend to becoming consumer societies, Nasijona empowers women of the Galilee to become independent and use their traditional knowledge for the common good. The result of years of work is a revival of traditional methods of knitting, strengthening of social bonds, narrowing the intergenerational gap about Palestine and providing tourists and locals alike with an opportunity to buy handmade products that are purely Palestinian. Today, the cooperative is a powerhouse; its multi-purpose hall is used for workshops, hosting book launches and cultural events, and teaching school children local crafts, among many other uses. The cooperative is a true example of cultural preservation, one stitch at a time.

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Products Selling Points: On location.

Volunteering Opportunities: Welcome volunteers to support with technical, financial and logistical tasks.

Other Services: Customised knitting and needlework workshop.