Sadu craft... an Emirati heritage at Expo 2020 Dubai

Maryam Hareb Al Saadi showcases her skills acquired over the years in the Sadu industry at Expo 2020 Dubai as visitors watch with interest.

The Expo provides its visitors, through live scenes, the opportunity to get acquainted closely with the Emirati heritage and the crafts that are still inherited by children from their fathers.

Sadu is a type of traditional Bedouin weaving and weaving in a horizontal style. It is an essential part of the lives of the people of the Emirates and an old traditional Emirati craft.

Maryam says that her participation came after receiving an invitation from Al-Yola Company for Wedding and Events Services, "It was my great joy and an important opportunity to introduce the world to Emirati culture and heritage and the role of Emirati women."

Maryam answers the visitors’ questions during her work and says: Many visitors come to see what I do and ask about my work method and how to sew these works. I explain to them that the Sadu industry starts from cutting animal wool such as bush and goats, collecting camel hair and then starting to clean and remove dirt and all The related impurities, dust and plants, then these wools are spun by a weaving machine made of wood called the loom, and then the spun yarns are dyed in the required colors.

She says: From my childhood, I fell in love with making traditional handicrafts, and I learned how to make Sadu and Talli, and making mattresses, cushions, and horse saddles.

The Emirati Sadu craft was included on the list of the intangible heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "UNESCO".