In the picturesque yet challenging landscape of Masafer Yatta, Palestinian women have long been preserving an intricate tapestry of heritage, skill, and cultural identity through the art of Tatreez, or embroidery.
At the forefront of this movement is Kefah Mahmoud Adra, a dedicated matriarch and advocate for women’s empowerment. For decades, she has worked tirelessly to nurture these traditions within her community and ensure their survival.
Kefah, 46, a mother of four sons and two daughters, currently lives in Tawani. Her journey began in a local women’s society, where she eventually became the director and led initiatives to preserve Tatreez for future generations.
“We are a group of women from the Women Weaving Cooperative in Masafer Yatta and Tawani,” says Kefah, her voice full of pride.
“Tatreez is an inherited skill passed down from our mothers and ancestors. We haven’t forgotten about it,” she adds.
Despite the changing landscape, Kefah stresses that for the women in the region, embroidery is a vital part of their identity and cultural heritage. To this day, every girl in the community learns to embroider by the age of ten, ensuring that the tradition is passed down.
“Tatreez should not be forgotten,” Kefah insists, calling the skill a vessel for their history and culture.
Overcoming challenges
Initially, the Women Weaving Cooperative focused on designing clothing and accessories such as dresses, wallets, and bags. However, over the past six years, they have expanded to designing sneakers, which have recently gained international attention.
As Kefah explains, the sneakers reflect the colours of the Palestinian landscape and are adorned with intricate, hand-stitched Tatreez. Each design is crafted by hand before being applied to the sneakers by a partnering factory.
“We prepare the pieces for the sneakers,” she clarifies, ensuring that their traditional skills are optimised for a modern market while preserving the essence of their culture.
Speaking about the success of the sneaker project, Kefah explains that combining traditional craft with contemporary footwear has opened up new opportunities for creativity and income.
“It felt strange at first to make Tatreez on sneakers,” Kefah admits.
“At first, we didn’t believe the project would succeed, as we were testing the idea on only a small number of sneakers,” she adds.
Despite the success of the sneaker project, life in Masafer Yatta is not without its challenges.
According to Kefah, residents face numerous challenges, including limited transportation and constant threats from settlers.
“We established the Women’s Cooperative Society 13 years ago to raise salaries and support our community,” Kefah explains.
Over the years, they have organised various initiatives aimed at uplifting the community, such as workshops offering psychological support for women, children’s activities, and crafting sessions to bring some joy during tough times.
However, as Kefah points out, securing funding and maintaining the cooperative proved to be a significant challenge.
“The society closed in early 2023 due to a lack of work and support,” she reflects.
Due to closures and threats of violence, she and her husband often make long trips, sometimes walking or driving an agricultural tractor, just to gather the supplies they need.
“Sometimes we have to walk to Hebron or drive a tractor to get the materials,” she says, showing the lengths they go to in order to preserve their traditions.
Despite the challenges, the Women Weaving Cooperative thrived as a close-knit group, continuing their craft through community involvement and collaboration, often gathering in each other’s homes or community spaces to share stories, laughter, and work.
“We have 37 women from Tawani and Masafer Yatta working together. We divide the tasks and follow a plan,” Kefah explains.
“Each woman estimates her time based on her housework,” she adds, noting, “When the deadline is a month, each woman takes on a task according to her capacity.”
Ethical collaborations
According to Kefah, the project’s growth and collaborations with companies like the ethical fashion brand Resolute RGL have helped expand their reach.
Kefah’s son, Basel Adra, co-director of No Other Land, which made headlines for winning an Oscar for its powerful storyline and for Basel’s choice to wear sneakers with Tatreez embroidery at the awards ceremony, co-founded Resolute RGL nearly six years ago.
Speaking to The New Arab, Basel shared that his goal was to strengthen his community, and thanks to social media, key partnerships have been formed and the story of the Women Weaving Cooperative has been amplified.
“This brand represents my people’s heritage and tradition,” Basel said, highlighting the family’s and community’s commitment to combining craft with identity.
A future rooted in heritage
Looking ahead, Kefah has many ambitions and dreams for the project.
“My ambition for this project is to make the world aware of us,” Kefah says passionately.
She highlights the resilience and artistry of the women in Masafer Yatta, aiming to have their work better recognised and provide them with sustainable livelihoods despite the challenges they face.
“I want the women to have their own salaries,” she asserts, advocating for economic empowerment in areas where educational and employment opportunities are scarce.
Beyond economic empowerment, Kefah’s dream is for their sneakers to not only attract consumers but also raise global awareness and appreciation for Palestinian culture and heritage.
In a world dominated by fast fashion and mass production, Kefah’s dream highlights the importance of handmade craftsmanship, tied to personal stories and identity.
“The idea of Tatreez is to follow fashion while staying true to our culture,” she explains.
In addition, Kefah’s broader vision is to establish a national factory.
“My dream is to have a large national factory where all the women are productive and our heritage is recognised,” she says, adding that she envisions a space where young girls can learn and thrive, combining education with cultural pride.
Ultimately, Kefah and the Women Weaving Cooperative embody the spirit of resistance through Tatreez, weaving a narrative of resilience that transcends borders.
Their work is more than just a project; it’s a lifeline and a testament to the strength of Palestinian women, highlighting the connection between craft, culture, and identity as they navigate life in a challenging landscape.
Through their exquisite sneakers, a piece of their heart and heritage travels far and wide, inviting the world to share their triumphs, struggles, and, above all, their remarkable story.
To support the Women Weaving Cooperative, all designs can be purchased here.
Eman Alhaj Ali is a Palestinian freelance journalist, writer, translator, and storyteller based in Gaza with publications on a variety of international and local websites
Follow her on X: @EmanAlhajAli1
