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Khayamiya - Egypt's Long-Lasting Traditional Craft

Published January 28th, 2019 - 07:38 GMT

The master of one of Egypt's most traditional crafts for years watched sadly as his once lucrative craft-business dwindled. Fellow artisans deserted the ancient art known as Khayamiya, or tent-making, for better paying jobs.

Khayamiya has been handstitching the decorative appliques that nowadays range from wall hangings to bed quilts for more than half a century. In days gone by, this craft was used to make tents and large tapestries but has evolved as demand changed.

These days, Khayamiya refers to the creation of ornamental items mostly in cotton that can also include pillow cases and throws, although the traditional name - tent-making when translated into English - endures.

The centuries-old art of Khayamiya goes back to the time of travelling caravans, when huge tent pavilions were used as shields from the desert's soaring sun.

Today, many are still used as backdrops for weddings, funerals and religious celebrations of the Holy month of Ramadan as well as the birthday of Prophet Mohammed known as Mawlid.

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An Egyptian craftsman showcases a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman showcases a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows a view of shops along the roofed Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows a view of shops along the roofed Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows a view from the entrance of Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, leading up to the 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of the surviving main gates of the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows a view from the entrance of Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, leading up to the 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of the surviving main gates of the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

Customers walk in the shop of an Egyptian craftsman as he weaves a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo on December 18, 2018. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

Customers walk in the shop of an Egyptian craftsman as he weaves a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo on December 18, 2018. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

An Egyptian craftsman showcases a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view of shops along the roofed Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view from the entrance of Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, leading up to the 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of the surviving main gates of the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
Customers walk in the shop of an Egyptian craftsman as he weaves a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo on December 18, 2018. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman showcases a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman showcases a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view of shops along the roofed Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view of shops along the roofed Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view from the entrance of Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, leading up to the 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of the surviving main gates of the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows a view from the entrance of Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, leading up to the 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of the surviving main gates of the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
Customers walk in the shop of an Egyptian craftsman as he weaves a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo on December 18, 2018. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
Customers walk in the shop of an Egyptian craftsman as he weaves a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo on December 18, 2018. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
This picture shows tapestries hanging on the wall of a shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo. Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP
An Egyptian craftsman gestures as he sits while working on a tapestry in his shop in Khayamiya Street, or the Street of Tent-makers, in the old city of the Egyptian capital Cairo Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP

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