Bedouin rugs a hit with rich Israelis
Women from Bedouin settlement in Negev weave latest trend to hit Israel, foreign nouveau riche
Traditional Bedouin rugs, made by women of the Lakia settlement in the Negev, are one of the hottest items going today for members of Israel's upper crust.
This weekend, the city of Herzliya hosted an exhibition of quality rugs at the home of European Union ambassador to Israel, Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal and his wife Maria Eugenia Goni.
In so doing, the ambassador and his wife are implementing a decision to promote ventures with the Jewish Arab Center for Economic Development.
Representatives of all foreign embassies and senior figures in the Israeli business community were also invited to the event.
Colorful Bedouin rugs (Courtesy of Unik Public Relations)
The rugs are produced using a secret, traditional method of weaving, passed from Bedouin mother to daughter for generations but kept secret from outsiders. The weaving is done on looms on the ground using pure sheep's wool, purchased from local shepherds in the Negev region.
The Lakia factory employs 150 women from settlements in the area, for whom this is their only livelihood. They work from home, and so do not have "family honor" issues.
Public exhibitions
Miriam Abdel Alhalek, a production manager at the factory told Ynet: "The more we work and earn money, the more we are strengthening the status of Bedouin women. I married in 8th grade and I was forced to halt my studies. This work saved me and so it is with many other women too."
"We sell rugs in exhibitions that we set up in peoples' homes, through an internet website that we established and through events like these which people initiate. Up to now we have sold 28 rugs, and in the final analysis I am happy. If I sell I am satisfied; if not, at least I've gotten some publicity," she added.
The rugs cost anywhere from NIS 500 and NIS 5000 (USD 106 to 1060) in Israel. Abroad they much more expensive. An average rug takes between two weeks and a month to weave, and sometimes even more.
The weaving factory project has been conducted until now mainly with the aid of financial donations, but recently there was an organizational change with the aid of the Jewish Arab Center for Economic Development, with an aim to make the venture profitable.
Ambassador Cibrian-Uzal, was very enthusiastic over the rugs.
"This is an important day in the history of the European Union. The rugs are splendid and well made. They are strikingly beautiful and they will be beautiful in every home in Israel and abroad. The European Union supported the project and we are happy about that," he said.
"This is a central issue among the Bedouin and the project will lead along the right path. I myself bought two rugs for my home, and I am planning to buy more rugs," he added.
