Embroidered Bookmark

These tatreez bookmarks are made and embroidered by the Bedouin Women’s Co-operative of Al Aizaria (Bethany), in occupied East Jerusalem. 

This suburb was cut off from their capital in 2006 by the Apartheid wall that was built to separate Al Aizaria, and the rest of the West Bank, from its capital Jerusalem. It also brought to an end the annual work that the original group of Bedouin women had had each autumn, during the olive harvest, to pick the olives in the gardens of the Church of Gethsemane. They were paid by the Church in olives, enough for them and their families to last a whole year. Olives are an extremely important commodity in the Palestinian economy, in its culture and diet. 

Tatreez is an ancient tradition in Palestine, and a women-only tradition. Buying these products doesn't just give income to the women themselves but helps to preserve and share this ancient tradition. It also ensures that the women continue to know they are not forgotten and that there are many people in the UK who support them and want them to thrive.

Approx 20cmx3cm