Lakiya Negev Weaving, “Sidreh”: THE HOME OF THE WEAVING MADE WITH A PERFECTED TECHNIQUE
Founded in 1991, the Lakiya Negev Weaving Initiative empowers Bedouin women of the Negev on personal and economic levels by applying their specialized weaving skills to produce unique woven products for local and international markets.
The Bedouin weavers use the traditional, homemade ground looms of their culture to craft the distinctive products. They use the pure wool of Awasi sheep, sheared by local Bedouin shepherds, and spin it into thread. These authentic artisan products are renowned both for their beauty and durability. This tradition is a strong part of communal life, and it has strong roots in the unique Bedouin cultural-heritage.
The Lakiya Weaving Initiative is Sidreh’s flagship project, and a successfully locally based social enterprise managed by Bedouin women – so we are truly part of the community we serve.
. Working in homesteads near the village of Lakiya more than 38 (formerly 150) craftswomen continue centuries of tradition, passed from mother to daughter, by herding, spinning, dyeing and weaving pure Awassi sheep wool.
Using drop spindles and ground looms they produce quality items which are durable, dye fast and mothproof. Lakiya is now a part of the work done by Al Sidreh, which has adult literacy and other programmes empowering women in the Bedouin community, particularly those in unrecognized villages.
We last visited Lakiya in 2016 and had lunch at the desert home of a woman participating in the income generating program. Hadeel normally stocks small rugs and cushions, but can order larger items for customers.