History of Palestinian Embroidery

From the late 1800’s until today, Palestinian Women have practiced cross-stitch embroidery as a vital part of their cultural heritage and to symbolize their conception of who they are, both as individuals and as a people. The beautiful, hand-sewn stitches are recognized by the U.N as culturally significant, but the art form faces many threats to its continued survival. This art has a powerful tie to tradition but has also evolved with the Palestinian’s history over the 1900’s and has always reflected the political and social climate of the day. The early period of Palestinian embroidery showcased a wide range of unique regional styles that hold specific meaning for the women who stitched them. As the state of Israel was formed in 1948 and many Palestinians found themselves uprooted from their homes, the art form expanded to reflect the growing nationalist sentiment and the developing idea of a truly Palestinian identity.  This poster seeks to showcase the meaning of Palestinian embroidery and how it has changed meaning alongside the political context in which it is sewn and how it’s purpose has expanded to be both cultural and economic while still retaining it’s connection to the past. It also will show how this art enabled Palestinian women to contribute to their struggle for nationhood, breaking down gender barriers and giving the women of Palestine a powerful voice in the construction of modern Palestinian culture and national identity.