Sindyanna of Galilee

Sindyanna of Galilee
S
indyanna of Galilee, in cooperation with the Workers Advice Center (WACMa’an), has developed a program that gives Arab women employment, income,
self-confidence and a sense of freedom. They learn to weave baskets according
to the local traditions, and develop it into a craft.
The idea to promote the art of basketry comes at critical time, when the Arab
women of Galilee desperately need a secure and comfortable place to work. In an
era when such crafts are quickly being ousted by cheap mass-market production,
the women find what is unique and irreplaceable in the old traditions, bringing
this element forth in ways that refresh the eye and hand.
The basketry workshop is based at the WAC center in Kufr Manda, Galilee. Headed
by Ronit Pan, it has been steadily growing in size and popularity. The present
catalogue documents both the products and the work put in by the women of
Kufr Manda.
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Sindyanna of Galilee
Basket Catalog
Photographer: Dotan Gur Arie
Designer: Sharon Horodi
Text: Sindyanna of Galilee team
Teaching basketry: Ronit Pan
The Weaving Story
www.sindyanna.com
Sindyanna of Galilee
Visitor Centre - Kufr Manda
About Sindyanna
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Wahiba, a student in the first basket weaving course offered at Kufr Manda,
instructs a new group of women in the art.
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The women work diligently to learn and perfect their work. Gradually they become more and
more independent.
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Wahiba teaches the women the fundamentals of weaving.
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From time to time the women prepare a cane basket for their own sake. The material does not need
any preparation.
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Beginning a basket from date-tree branches.
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The first phase of date basket weaving: the center of the base.
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The branches, once soaked, are pliable for weaving.
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The base shines like a sun in the hands of Amyna.
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Once a base is established, the basket begins to take shape.
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The base in the hands of Had’ra.
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The branches continue from the base to the sides, creating a one piece basket.
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The rhythm of weaving becomes an art form in the hands of the women in Kufr Manda.
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A wastepaper basket begins to appear.
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The special texture becomes prominent.
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Towards the end of the basket, a special pattern is added.
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Wahiba helps Fatima with the border of a basket.
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Completed baskets fill the background of the workspace.
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A completed Linen Basket rests in the background. The lid lies on a hidden “shelf” inside the border,
following a French style of weaving.
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Awatif poses with the completed body of a basket.
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These baskets are woven by men from Galilee and the West Bank (particularly the hills of
Samaria). Today there are only a few men who weave these traditional baskets. They are made
from shoots of the olive and the mastic tree (lentisk or pistachio tree). The bright basket is
woven from a local reed. We combine the olive shoots and other vegetation with the datepalm wands that we use. We also use the traditional technique, seen in the picture, to weave
baskets of these shapes. The baskets in the photo are only for illustration and are not for
sale.
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Artistic baskets from date tree branches, adorned with mastic branches, are surprisingly
strong and are perfect for holding fruits and vegetables. They come in many different sizes,
and the length of the handle can be varied.
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The folded basket above is perfect for decorating with flowers. It is made special and
practical with either a plaited handle or a date palm handle. It can vary in length from 44 to
52 cm (17-20 inches).
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The oval shaped basket is perfect for holding newspapers or magazines. It is made with an
inserted date palm handle.
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These deep, handled baskets, perfect for picnics, can also be used for storage or
decoration. The inserted handle is made of a date main palm branch. The sides can be
woven either with a straight angle or in a round shape.
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The tray baskets are perfect for serving food or carrying breakfast to bed. They have a diameter of 30-40 cm. (12-16 in.) and are 11-13 cm. (4-5 in.) high. The stylized basket nestled in
the tray is extremely versatile: it can be used for storage and decoration. Its diameter is 28
cm. (11 in.) and it is 20 cm. (8 in.) high.
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There is a rustic, familiar feel to these traditional baskets, complete with plaited handles.
They can be woven from the base to the sides with either a straight angle or a round shape,
both creating a beautiful effect. Sizes: diameter, 23 and 28 cm (9 and 11 in.); height, 10 and
16 cm. (4 and 6 in.).
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The Jar Basket is big enough to store toys and blankets. Complete with an elegant lid and
two handles, it can be high (45 cm. or 18 in.), as pictured, or short (38 cm. or 15 in.). It is 40
cm (16 in.) wide.
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These artistic baskets are a beautiful accent in any home, capable of organizing as well
as displaying some of your cherished things. The cone basket on the right comes in many
sizes and styles and is particularly good for holding flowers.
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The perfect accessory for any doll is the hand-woven doll cradle. On the right is a standard
design, and on the left is a specially ordered style. Standard dimensions: 42 cm. long, 27
cm. wide, and 24 cm. high.
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These wastepaper baskets come in a variety of sizes and designs. Made with handles or
without, they are an attractive addition to any home or office. The sizes range from 24-30
cm. in diameter and 20-32 cm. in height.
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These three baskets display the
range of utility and elegance in the
baskets created by the women of
Kufr Manda.
The Oval Basket on the left comes
with two handles and can be done in
two sizes: top length, 33 or 44 cm.;
top width, 30 or 33 cm.; height, 15
or 18 cm.
The Pocket Basket hangs on the
wall, offering a unique way to
display cut flowers. Diameter: 28
cm., depth: 15 cm.
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The Linen Basket on the right is good-looking as well as useful. The lid can be decorated
with a date tree handle, as pictured, or left without. Top diameter: ca. 42 cm.; depth: ca.
34 cm.
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Sindyanna of Galilee
BASKET CATALOG
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The basket on the left is traditionally
used for picking fruit. It has a plaited
handle and is adorned with olive
branches.
Dimensions: Diameter 28 cm. height
12 cm. with handles 28 cm.
The basket on the right is for storing
odd things. The technique is delicate,
done in a French style, although
the material consists of date palm
wands.
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter
32 cm., height of side 20 cm., with
handles 26 cm.
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Fruit baskets
Classic traditional weaving adorned with brown willow branches.
Medium basket: Upper diameter 29 cm., height 12 cm.
Small basket: Upper diameter 23 cm., height 9 cm.
Big basket (not in the picture but available): Upper diameter 36 cm., height 14 cm.,
with handles 20 cm.
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Traditional fruit basket
decorated with olive and mastic branches.
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter 30 cm., height 12 cm., with handles 18 cm.
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Big basket for storing toys
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter 40 cm.
height 20 cm., height with handles 26 cm.
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Laundry basket
with strips of brown willow branches.
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter 42 cm., height 26 cm., with handles 36 cm.
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Big basket for storing toys
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter 40 cm.
height 20 cm., height with handles 26 cm.
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Flat fruit basket
Estimated dimensions: Upper diameter 30 cm., height 8 cm..
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