A skillful Syrian weaver produces magnificent silk works with his primitive loom

For hundreds of years in Syria , a rich culture was built around the traditional wooden loom and textile weaving which became  a traditional Syrian craft  back in the days of the old silk road.

Loom weaving in Syria is considered an art , an activity that is still practiced by few groups that have developed different technologies, weaving techniques and types of weaves, using a diversity of tools and looms to create textiles with different characteristics and designs.

“ handloom weaving is a traditional craft  and   Damascene craftsmen  are famous for their creativity in this industry  that  requires  patience , artistic sense , talent, concentration and a lot of love”  with these words  Munir Al-Masdi summarized to SANA  the secrets of a profession that  he is most sincere  for  about 55 years and all that worries him today is  that this profession might soon vanish in Syria. 

From his small shop in Takiyya Al-Sulaymaniyya in Damascus  , Munir Al-Masdi, who is one of the few remaining craftsmen ,   still  shows  textile products he weaved in  traditional ways at an old  wooden  handloom as if they are wonderful  artworks  that are like antiques in which colors and experiences are mixed.  

Al-Masdi , who was a mathematical teacher,  pointed out  that he inherited  this profession  from his father and  grandfather  and  he  has  been practicing it for 55 years. He   spends  most of his  time in  his small shop  that gives him  a large space for reflection and contemplation  to find everything new and special.

 “ I learned from my ancestors to weave  professionally using silk threads, wool and natural cotton. The handloom weaving pieces   are not rivaled by machine products  despite their development because they carry the spirit of their weaver” Al-Masdi expressed.

He underlined that  he developed the  handloom in line with the market requirements while preserving its old shape.

The products of the seventy-year craftsman range from towels, bathrobes, small napkins, bedspreads, curtains and jackets.   

Weaving one meter on the handloom, according to Al-Masdi ,  requires two hours and  handloom weaving products  may require more than one person’s effort who cooperate to give aesthetic sense to the products.

Al-Masdi  called  the new generation to preserve and  continue this traditional craft and protect it from disappearance. 

Rawaa Ghanam