Palestinian embroidery listed as intangible heritage of humanity
The traditional Palestinian embroidery is registered in the intangible cultural heritage of Unesco.
© musée du quai Branly, photo Patrick Gries, Valérie Torre
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The Palestinians are thrilled.
Their traditional embroidery is listed in the intangible cultural heritage of Unesco.
A decision that comes after a new scandal of "
cultural appropriation
".
Last week, as Israel hosted the Miss Universe pageant, the contestants were dressed in traditional Palestinian outfits, touted as part of Israeli Bedouin culture.
Unesco has now decided, this embroidery tradition does indeed belong to the Palestinians.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Sami Boukhelifa
Among the Palestinians, the art of "tatreez", embroidery, is passed on from generation to generation.
A transmission from mother to daughter which is part of the Palestinian identity.
The “Thobe”, the traditional outfit, usually with black or white fabric, is hand embroidered.
Brightly colored threads, small red beads are assembled to form different symbols: birds, flowers or even trees.
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A very symbolic inscription
Jerusalem, Gaza, Hebron, Nablus, each region has its own motives.
They precisely indicate the origin of the person who wears the traditional dress.
For the Palestinian authorities, inscribing this art in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity was essential.
"
It is in order to protect our Palestinian identity, our heritage and our narrative, in the face of the occupation's attempts to steal what it does not have,
" Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh said in a statement.
Consistently in recent years, Palestinians have accused Israel of wanting to appropriate this art of traditional embroidery.
► To read also:
The Congolese rumba registered in the intangible heritage of humanity
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Palestinian territories
Heritage
Unesco
Culture