Egypt is predominantly perceived of as the Land of the Pharaohs. However, while of immense significance, the Pharaonic era is only one component of Egypt’s rich and diverse history.  Egypt’s cultural heritage can be traced from the Palaeolithic until the present day and it is in our interest as global citizens to preserve the past so that future generations can learn from it and understand their origins.  

Egypt’s cultural heritage encompasses textile, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, glass and other craft traditions.  In the same way that monuments link us to the past, traditional crafts give us an insight into the environment, conditions and people in a time before our own.

Pharaonic Crafts…

In Pharaonic times, the temples, royal cemeteries, and royal palaces included workshops where specialized craftsmen worked making furniture, jewelry, glass, metals, and other products.  Egyptian tombs show vivid scenes and figures portraying various groups of craftsmen performing their handicrafts, such as carpenters and weavers in workshops.  Museums around the world are full of various products made by those ingenious craftsmen.  It is from this craft that we have an insight into ancient Egyptian heritage. 

Cultural Crafts…

Egypt’s cultural craft heritage is particularly impressive considering the range of different crafts and the range of different culturally identifiable artisan communities.  For example, Egypt is famous for its Nubian basket weaving, Akhmim cotton textiles, Bedouin embroidered cloth, Pottery from Fayoum Oasis and the particularly unique costumes and jewelry of Siwa oasis. 

These artistic traditions are sometimes divided into groups.  Egypt's districts had specified areas for craftsmen, goldsmiths, and coppersmiths.  Even today as you walk around the streets of Cairo you will notice that some areas are named after the crafts tradition that was practiced there.  For example, the tent-maker’s street and the paper market. 

Textiles…

In Ancient Egypt textiles were used for many purposes, among them clothing, bags, sails, ropes, and nets.  Ancient Egyptian textiles were primarily made of linen, which comes from the flax plant. Textiles were also made from palm fibers, grass, seeds, and much less frequently from sheep's wool and goat hair. Once fibers were removed from the flax, they were spun on a spindle and then woven on a loom into the textile.  In Pharaonic Egypt, textiles were usually created by women on looms in weaving workshops.   

One of the main weaving powerhouses in Egypt (since Pharaonic times) is the town of Akhmim, Upper Egypt.  Situated on the east bank of the Nile River, Akhmim remains one of Egypt’s major textile production areas.  Cotton, linen and silk textiles are still woven here.  Traditional techniques and Coptic motifs are still used.  Textile weaving is a defining characteristic of the town, it gives residents an identity and sense of community. 

Embroidery…

Another outstanding example of how Egypt’s cultural heritage is rooted in craft tradition can be found in the Bedouin embroideries from Northern Sinai.  Traditionally, these Bedouin women embroider black cloth using colorful thread and geometric patterns.  The colors of the thread generally reflect the artisans marital and/or social status.  The traditional motifs, elaborate patterns and color combinations used today are similar to the patterns and techniques that young Bedouin women traditionally sewed on their wedding dresses generations ago.   

Pottery…

Pottery is another defining Egyptian craft since the presence of Egyptians in the Nile Valley and Delta.  In the absence of written texts, archaeologists could chronicle times and cultures through pottery, its styles, and decoration.  For example, often pottery was decorated with drawings of human figures, birds, animals, plant, geometric ornamentation and Kufi calligraphy, in addition to dancing, music, and hunting scenes.  Also shown were certain social/daily activities.  Pottery is thus a window into times past.  Looking at the designs and styles of pottery can lead us to determine which raw materials were available at the time, which animals were common, how daily life was played out etc. 

Al-Fayoum Oasis has long been known for its distinct pottery style.  The pottery tradition is so ingrained in members of the Tunis village in Fayoum that a pottery school has been established in order to combine children’s’ education with this artistic tradition.  Fayoum pottery is distinct in its coloring and pattern and thus can be distinguished from other Egyptian /Middle Eastern styles.  Pottery production is thus a crucial and identifiable element of Fayoum culture. 

Egypt has a strong craft tradition that is closely entwined with its cultural heritage.  It is from these traditional crafts that we can come to understand social, cultural and environmental characteristics of a time and people past.  Preserving cultural heritage and crafts skills is crucial to preserving community identity.

This information has been sourced from the ‘Eternal Egypt’ website (please visit  www.eternalegypt.org for more details) and from internal Fair Trade Egypt research.  October 2005.