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Tatreez & Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora
In "Tatreez Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora", Wafa Ghnaim brings traditional Palestinian embroidery to life by revealing the profound depths of meaning, inspiration and stories encapsulated in each motif. Ghnaim gently decodes the meaning of each embroidery design, by guiding us through each thread, stitch and technique, then evolving into a sacred journaling of the oral history narratives of her maternal ancestors that ultimately inspire her confidence to share stories of her identity formation as a Palestinian American in the diaspora.
Ghnaim unravels the stories of each dress and design by illuminating the experiences of her mother, Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim, in mid-century Syria who learned embroidery in diaspora. Palestinian women have gathered together for generations with their daughters to work collectively on embroidery projects, bonding with one another over a cup of tea. Ghnaim's mother learned these traditions from her mother, and found solace in continuing the tradition with her daughters.
Through sharing her family's al-Nakba story, the experience of her mother becoming a refugee in Syria and then immigrating to the U.S., Ghnaim keenly exposes the necessity of continuing the endangered Palestinian craft of embroidery to reconnect new generations of Palestinians to their homeland and by resuscitating its roots as a powerful, provocative and profound storytelling tool in modern society.
"Today, so much emphasis is placed on writing down the Palestinian experience; defining our identity and defending it, writing down our history and preserving it, and validating our existence in the mainstream. As a Palestinian in diaspora, I feel pressure to consistently and clearly articulate what my position is, who I am and what my people lay claim to. But for those of us who are at a loss of words, yet still have an expressive spirit that longs to practice an act of nonviolent resistance to oppression -- we have an outlet that is not only indigenous, but therapeutic. When my writing doesn't feel like enough, when my words are easily distorted, debated, and criticized, I turn to my art. I turn to my tatreez."
"Tatreez Tea" is far more than a book about traditional Palestinian costume, embroidery and meanings. It’s about tatreez documenting Ghnaim's way into the world; being bullied, finding self acceptance, falling in love, becoming a woman of bicultural identity, and finding the meaning of "home".
"Tatreez Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora" includes:
- 27 design patterns, embellishment ideas and inspirations, as well as, care and preservation tips straight from old Palestine;
- Seven family tea recipes passed on through generations of women in northern Palestine;
- Detailed traditional Palestinian embroidery technique and rare northern Palestinian Arabic craft terminology;
- Complete guide to the meanings and origins of each embroidery thread color;
- Guidance and instructions detailed enough for inexperienced embroiderers, and inspiration ideas for those with needlework experience;
- Design histories and meanings of rare traditional Palestinian embroidery designs, including The Missiles, The Gardens and The Wheat Harvest.
This book was generously funded by the Regional Arts Culture Council, Brooklyn Arts Council and Clackamas County Cultural Coalition in 2016 and is Wafa Ghnaim's debut self-publication.
Ghnaim unravels the stories of each dress and design by illuminating the experiences of her mother, Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim, in mid-century Syria who learned embroidery in diaspora. Palestinian women have gathered together for generations with their daughters to work collectively on embroidery projects, bonding with one another over a cup of tea. Ghnaim's mother learned these traditions from her mother, and found solace in continuing the tradition with her daughters.
Through sharing her family's al-Nakba story, the experience of her mother becoming a refugee in Syria and then immigrating to the U.S., Ghnaim keenly exposes the necessity of continuing the endangered Palestinian craft of embroidery to reconnect new generations of Palestinians to their homeland and by resuscitating its roots as a powerful, provocative and profound storytelling tool in modern society.
"Today, so much emphasis is placed on writing down the Palestinian experience; defining our identity and defending it, writing down our history and preserving it, and validating our existence in the mainstream. As a Palestinian in diaspora, I feel pressure to consistently and clearly articulate what my position is, who I am and what my people lay claim to. But for those of us who are at a loss of words, yet still have an expressive spirit that longs to practice an act of nonviolent resistance to oppression -- we have an outlet that is not only indigenous, but therapeutic. When my writing doesn't feel like enough, when my words are easily distorted, debated, and criticized, I turn to my art. I turn to my tatreez."
"Tatreez Tea" is far more than a book about traditional Palestinian costume, embroidery and meanings. It’s about tatreez documenting Ghnaim's way into the world; being bullied, finding self acceptance, falling in love, becoming a woman of bicultural identity, and finding the meaning of "home".
"Tatreez Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora" includes:
- 27 design patterns, embellishment ideas and inspirations, as well as, care and preservation tips straight from old Palestine;
- Seven family tea recipes passed on through generations of women in northern Palestine;
- Detailed traditional Palestinian embroidery technique and rare northern Palestinian Arabic craft terminology;
- Complete guide to the meanings and origins of each embroidery thread color;
- Guidance and instructions detailed enough for inexperienced embroiderers, and inspiration ideas for those with needlework experience;
- Design histories and meanings of rare traditional Palestinian embroidery designs, including The Missiles, The Gardens and The Wheat Harvest.
This book was generously funded by the Regional Arts Culture Council, Brooklyn Arts Council and Clackamas County Cultural Coalition in 2016 and is Wafa Ghnaim's debut self-publication.
- GenresNonfictionCrafts
450 pages, ebook
Published November 15, 2016
8 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 30, 2021
'Tatreez and Tea' is a beautiful compilation work of Palestinian tatreez history, patterns, technique, tea recipes, and a biographical story of a family's legacy. I loved this book so much. Not only was 'Tatreez and Tea' highly informative about the origins and history of Palestinian tatreez, but Wafa also explains how the Nakba and the vast spread of the Palestinian diaspora has continued to change tatreez. It was heartbreaking to read how in many ways due to Israel's continued ethnic cleansing of Palestine and constant (failed) attempts of erasing Palestinian culture and history the art of tatreez is not continuing to be passed on in many Palestinian families, most especially in the global diaspora. I've always loved the beauty of Palestinian tatreez, but now I have an even deeper reverence for the amazing embroidery that tells histories and expresses through intricate and cultural designs.
I loved reading about the history of how Palestinian women would secretly pass messages and express themselves to one another through tatreez never allowing illiteracy to prevent them from communicating in non-verbal ways, especially when they had secrets to share.
Reading about how Wafa's mom has fought so hard to keep the art of tatreez going, especially with passing the art down to her daughters, after having escaped Palestine during the Nakba was so deeply moving. Wafa and her mother teach online courses of tatreez to keep the beautiful Palestinian art alive and thriving so it can continue to be passed on for generations to come.
I loved reading about the history of how Palestinian women would secretly pass messages and express themselves to one another through tatreez never allowing illiteracy to prevent them from communicating in non-verbal ways, especially when they had secrets to share.
Reading about how Wafa's mom has fought so hard to keep the art of tatreez going, especially with passing the art down to her daughters, after having escaped Palestine during the Nakba was so deeply moving. Wafa and her mother teach online courses of tatreez to keep the beautiful Palestinian art alive and thriving so it can continue to be passed on for generations to come.
September 25, 2021
This is a lovely book about a textile tradition I'm totally unfamiliar with, Palestinian embroidered dresses. I read it on my Paperwhite, and I want to look at it again in a tablet to see the pictures in color.
Palestinian people have lost everything, but still try to pass on this tradition from mother to daughter. The motifs are not just pictures, but images that tell aspects of the story of the maker and her people. Ghnaim's mother sounds like quite a person!
It could have used another pass by a copyeditor, but don't let that put you off this valuable book.
Palestinian people have lost everything, but still try to pass on this tradition from mother to daughter. The motifs are not just pictures, but images that tell aspects of the story of the maker and her people. Ghnaim's mother sounds like quite a person!
It could have used another pass by a copyeditor, but don't let that put you off this valuable book.
December 27, 2022
A wonderful dissection of the Palestinian diaspora told through the cultural and oral history of a single family and their efforts to keep the tradition of embroidery alive. I learned a great deal about these traditions, and only regret that the copy I purchased was black and white. I imagine the book is resplendent when shown in full colour
March 3, 2021
This was an interesting combination of memoir, crafting instruction and tea recipes. Wafa has followed her mother's path regarding Tatreez Palestinian embroidery. This brings a great connection to their Palestinian heritage as is now embodied in the Diaspora. The book contains stories of the fleeing, living in refugee camps, immigrating and trying to create a new life. It also has stories of the author growing up as a Palestinian-American and how to fit in and find her own path. Very enjoyable.
December 2, 2016
Informative, heartbreaking and heartwarming - this is a story of one family within a much bigger picture of love, disaster, strength and storytelling. The modern tales wrap around the history of Palestinian life and the struggles to keep tradition going through changes. Included are recipes and patterns with all their meanings.
Overall a very lovely book.
Overall a very lovely book.
July 29, 2023
I loved this book (obviously)!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews