Beaded Gown

Contributed by
Um Ahmad

"We used to wear the headdress in this way and put on these costumes for special occasions. When we worked with the livestock, we’d leave these costumes at home."

0:000:00

Um Ahmad spent her childhood on the Farasan Islands in the Red Sea, where she learned the art of beaded embroidery from her mother, aunts, and grandmother. She was raised in a time and place where everything was handmade out of necessity. Now in her nineties, this skill has not only preserved her heritage but also allowed her to earn a living well into her later years. This hooded gown, a garment for special occasions, is intricately hand-beaded by Um Ahmad. Having left behind desert life, she now lives in the modern city of Riyadh, but her designs still reflect a deep connection to her nomadic roots. She has taught these traditions to her grandchildren, making sure they live on in today’s world. Listen to her story....

Transcript

00:06 I was born in Hmer, and praise be to Allah, this has been my job since I was a child aged 15. In the beginning, I used lead and silk, we didn’t wear machine made clothes in the past, we used to sew our garments by hand, but over time, we developed the craft by incorporating beads and small pearls. We did everything ourselves — we dug our wells by hand and drank the water with our hands. 00:36 I remain very busy and have many products at home, despite my old age. I have been doing this work since I was very young. I create according to my mood, and my designs reflect how I feel. No one designs for me; I developed my craft entirely on my own. 00:49  I sew and bead my own dresses and wear them. This craft has been with us from the very beginning, practiced in the desert. We learned to sew, design, and create on our own. It’s an art that we naturally acquired. 01:09 I learned it from my grandmother, my mother, and my sisters. We made skin pouches by hand, skinned animals, and tanned their leather. We did everything by our own hands. 01:24 We used to wear the headdress in this way and put on these costumes for special occasions. When we worked with the livestock, we’d leave these costumes at home. We would create artworks, wristbands, and necklaces, all made with small pearls, and everything we crafted was of the highest quality. 01:49  I taught my daughters and other girls in the community, and thank Allah, I can now see my work everywhere. It’s my daughters and granddaughters who continue this craft. All my granddaughters are involved in making these things, and I teach them, so they have a skill to rely on and something to continuously learn. This is our heritage, and it is something we will never let go of. It is an old tradition. Some of the products I make are not for sale. 02:24 This craft is truly heartwarming for us. It brings comfort to know that we are producing beautiful artwork. When I see something that inspires me and decide to create it, with the ability given to me by Allah, I can bring it to life. 02:44  When I see people using my flawless, perfectly made products, I feel happiness. It brings me joy, and I pray that God blesses this work for them and for us.