Al Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practiced to produce soft furnishings and decorative accessories for camels and horses by Bedouin women in rural communities of the United Arab Emirates
Ancient tribal weaving, Al Sadu, is known to artistically portray Arabian nomadic peoples' rich cultural heritage and sense of natural beauty. Traditional tribal lifestyle, the desert environment, and the weavers' creative self-expression are woven into geometric and figurative patterns and symbols. A weaver's hand can be seen in the camel weaving practice. Their figurative symbolism is important to the textile's production and has been incorporated into highly prized woven Sadu textiles.
Shearing and cleaning the wool are done by the women, while men shear the sheep, camels, and goats. Weaving on a warp-faced plain weave floor loom is performed by spinning the yarn on a drop spindle, dyeing it, and then weaving it on a drop spindle. Black, white, brown, beige, and red are traditional colors and patterns, with narrow bands of geometric design woven into the weave.
It produces colorful products, such as clothing, camel and horse decorations, Bedouin tents, majlis floor pillows, carpets and mats, and Bedouin tents. Weavers will often gather in small groups to spin and weave, exchanging family news and reciting poetry from time to time. Such gatherings are the traditional transmission method: girls watch and are given tasks to sort the wool, and they then learn the more intricate skills involved in doing so.
Since tribal existence is long gone and weaving skills and memories are fading, tribal camel textiles have practically ceased to exist, as well as nomadic animal husbandry, which was once crucial and vital. However, the advent of oil has caused a sharp decline in the practice of Al Sadu due to rapid economic development and social changes. There is a dispersal of rural Bedouin communities among urban settlements, and young women are working outside the home more frequently. Al Sadu bearers (traditional sheikhs) have declined in numbers.
Al Sadu Society established the Sadu House in Kuwait in 1980 to protect the interests of Bedouins and Sadu weavers. Currently, through the initiative of Embrace Doha, an independent cultural house located in Souq Al Wakrah, two private galleries were organized to tell the story of Sadu from the perspective of the last few Sadu weavers that remain in the country. However, throughout their efforts, they aim to bring attention to the importance of preserving the intangible heritage of Sadu weaving for the benefit of the wider community.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/al-sadu-traditional-weaving-skills-in-the-united-arab-emirates-00517) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sadu#Al_Sadu_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates)