The craft tradition of ‘Handmade Weaving in Upper Egypt (Sa’eed)’ is a complex one, requiring long hours of skilful weaving in order to achieve the final product.
This traditional weaving craft involves many steps and techniques that involve the loom preparation, threading, and weaving of the final product, requiring precision and intricate workmanship. For centuries, Egypt's men and women have used their artistic talent and inherited knowledge to create textiles, both as family heritage and as a profession
People of Akhmim weave textiles using techniques that derive from the ancient Egyptians, just as the looms they use today were designed by them. These handloom designs lend themselves better to vertical or horizontal geometric shapes. This makes them more limited in the patterns and motifs they can use, as well as the kinds of innovations they can make within a traditional craft. It needs more effort to protect this traditional hand-weaving method, while still guaranteeing the community a steady source of income.
Akhmim has a long history dating back to the Predynastic Period. The ancient Egyptians, Graeco-Romans, Coptics, and Arabs lived there. It was mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus who visited Egypt in the fifth century BCE. He wrote: "Women look after the home, while men work in the textile industry." The Greek geographer Strabo also mentioned Akhmim as having a linen weaving industry.
Although the basic principles of weaving have remained the same as in the past, the industries that used expensive silk yarn gradually shifted to cotton since it is more profitable, and the small narrow looms were replaced with wider ones. Handloom weaving is associated with pride and identity in the countries concerned, and the persistence of handloom terminology testifies to the significance of weaving.
There are many threats to the practice right now. Weaving is no longer profitable, weaving at home requires unused space for the loom, and the working materials are expensive. In order to prevent these threats, the craft is largely neglected and not transmitted as it was in the past. It is believed that a new generation of young people could be trained in this technique to combat the escalating problem of unemployment in the communities concerned.
Until today there’s still a large number of traditional goods are still woven by hand by the community of Akhmim Textile, using large wooden looms, which also require support to compete in the textile market.