1st title - Sadu House: a story of traditional artistic creativity, cultural adaptation and preservation 2nd - Preserving material

culture is essential for a balanced change. 3rd Retaining meaningful aspects of the past for an enlightened future 4th -Sadu House - An ongoing effort to preserve a part of Kuwaits culture Sheikha Altaf Salem Al Ali Al Sabah, founding member and patron of Al Sadu Weaving Cooperative is a woman of many parts. Anthropologist, activist, researcher, author, art collector and painter, she serves as an impressive role model for women in the Middle East and beyond. She ardently believes in the role of traditional arts and crafts in emphasizing cultural identity ,inspiring contemporary creative design and most notably reflecting the inherent human need for beauty , harmony and joy . As Kuwait celebrates 50 years of Independence and 20 years of Liberation, it continues to ignore its traditional arts, an understanding of which is essential to the building of a national character. Al Sadu Weaving Cooperative is celebrating twenty years of its existence, a journey which has been almost single handedly led by its patron,who believes in harmonizing tradition with modernity thereby retaining meaningful aspects of the past for an enlightened future. Read on about her journey and her success at preserving and promoting a traditional craft which may have died a slow death. Arab Times Are we celebrating 20 years of the revival of sadu craft this year? Ans - This year we are celebrating twenty years of the establishing of theAl Sadu cooperative. Revival or the bringing back of a craft to use is an ongoing process. While there is effort, creativity, use and demand, revival will continue to take place. The intention started with the beginning of the project at the end of the seventies and early 80s.

Arab Times- How special is Sadu House to you? Ans As an old traditional building it is very special to me. It was the house which captured my attention back in the late seventies whenever I passed the Gulf road and had hoped so much that it would be the premises of the AlSadu project , and thank God it became so . Arab Times - How special is it that this celebration co-insides with so many other celebrations taking place in Kuwait this year? Ans -It is very appropriate that along with celebrating fifty years of Kuwaits independence, we are also celebrating an ongoing effort of preserving a part of Kuwaits culture , which is its traditional art and crafts.

Arab Times - What attracted you to Sadu? Over the years, it seems as if it has almost become a personal mission for you?

Ans -After my Masters degree in social and cultural anthropology, I taught at Kuwait University as a lecturer. For me it was an excellent opportunity. I had been living and studying outside Kuwait for some time so I enjoyed the communication with my generation. I taught Introduction to Anthropology and it involved the study and understanding of human cultures . I gave my students examples about Kuwait's culture and found out unfortunately that many were not aware of some of Kuwaits cultural identity. Some did not even know of Failaka , or have visited Kuwait's National Museum. Their ignorance was distressing. Arab Times- What do you think was responsible for this ignorance? Ans -I think the pace of social change in Kuwait was very quick and sudden. Although there were good moves by the Government to preserve the heritage of the country, nevertheless they were not focused or serious enough. Unfortunately one saw a deliberate erasing of Kuwait's cultural history and traditional past out of negligence and ill planning. Each Society has its cultural imprint, its material culture as reflected in its arts, architecture, food, dress, crafts and music. All these characteristics contain a great deal of knowledge and wisdom .It is unacceptable that Kuwait does not have a good ethnographic museum or a good national museum that tells the story of the land and the people. I believe small people look and big people see and if you have the right person in the right place, things will work out. Change as we know is inevitable. We cannot resist change, but we have to absorb it with insight and a lot of understanding of our true essence. I like to use this analogy. For a tree to grow and blossom it needs strong roots and healthy nutrients that feed it. People are like trees they do need to understand their roots, appreciate and feed them wisely to grow strong and fruitful. Arab Times Past wisdoms provide a strong foundation Ans - Yes, they do provide a strong foundation and the confidence to go forward and adapt well . I would like to use yet another analogy. You cannot build a tower of twenty floors on a base that is weak. One of these weaknesses is that many younger generations did not know the true essence , colors and flavors of their land ,nor appreciate them . The social and cultural characters that had helped build Kuwait from a small social entity into the modern developed state of today. The more understanding and confident of who you are , the more ready you are to absorb, assimilate , adapt and grow . Arab Times Were you disappointed with the attitude of some government officials regarding preservation efforts ? Ans - Yes, I was. I still believe they did not do a lot of things they should have. I believe strongly that the remaining old houses need to be maintained as showcases of Kuwaits traditional architecture as well as its contemporary creative talent . In 2002 I took the personal initiative to do a calendar of the remaining historic and traditional houses in Kuwait with the main aim of showcasing their beauty and cultural value. It was for this purpose that I had lobbied so strongly and succeeded in getting the permission to use AlMarzouk- Behbehani house for the AlSadu project. I would love that most of the remaining old houses be put in good use, as cultural showcases, rather than be turned into dull governmental offices.

Arab Times -This was happening the 1970s. Wasnt it the same time when all the vestiges of the past were being knocked down in Kuwait? Ans -Yes and I am so glad Sadu House was saved from that fate and was later restored. After the Gulf War, it was in a very sad state. I kept working again to put it back in order and I am happy we could renovate it with the consorted effort of the Arts Council and selected Kuwaiti architects and designers. Each old house has a beautiful soul enriched with social history and an interesting story to tell. A visit to any one of these old houses can increase ones cultural awareness and spiritual wellbeing . I still remember with a lot of delight the mornings when some old Kuwaiti ladies would visit Sadu House, sit in the courtyard and chat happily about the place and past memories . Sadu House for example tells many interesting stories , a story of the commercial cultural exchange between Kuwait, India and Iran , and a story of the traditional craftsmanship as envisioned in the beautiful wood work made by local carpenters and artisans. Today it tells a story of traditional artistic creativity, cultural adaptation and preservation. I have to say that we are lucky in Kuwait that the social tradition of the "Diwaniya" was and is still strong and thus helped preserve the good use of some of the remaining old houses on the sea front . Arab Times - What made Bayt Al Sadu an appropriate home for Sadu? Ans -Both of them pertain to the traditional culture of Kuwait and both have very good stories to say. Arab Times- What inspired you to take an active role with the Sadu Project? Ans Ever since I was at high school and later at University ,at the American University of Beirut I had been very active and with a lot of creative energy . I participated in many social and charitable events. During my junior year I was elected head of the WSO "Women Student Organization" at AUB . One should not think that just because my name is Al Sabah I have doors open to me. When I was in University nobody knew who I was, but I was always involved. I had this passion to bring people together, connect and communicate, to focus on ideas and I suppose this energy continued when I got married and came back to Kuwait. So when the opportunity came to work together on the Sadu project, I was very receptive and enthusiastic.

Arab Times What interested you in textiles ?And when was your first exposure to textiles?
=Ans

-I have always been interested in traditional dress, costumes, and folklore and have a collection of old traditional dresses ,shawls and fabrics from across the Arab and Middle East . Whenever I wear any of my old dresses I feel very comfortable and good inside. Their colors , and decorative patterns inspire and intrigue me. They sort of intensify my cultural identity as a Kuwaiti, Arab and human being by enlarge. With time my appreciation and understanding grew as well as my collection. I remember with a lot of fondness an old picture of me ,about five years old ,wearing a Kuwaiti thoub, it seems this good feeling grew on me ! Later during my university years ,I was approached to help in a fundraising event related to Palestinian woman and Children . They asked me to photo model and do a poster for the charitable event . The dresses belonged to the Al Husseini Shaheed family from Jerusalem .I believed totally in the cause and then asked my

grandmother's permission , who was really a great influence on me , she readily agreed. When they did the poster they were stuck not only inside the University campus, but all around West Beirut(laughed) ! My family , friends and I still remember this event with a lot of happiness and delight . Arab times Despite efforts there are still some who do not know much about sadu. What makes knowledge of this art and craft so important? Ans -Sadu by itself is not the issue. The arts and crafts of any given society are an important and colorful components of its material culture. Preserving the material culture is very essential in maintaining a balanced change. Sadu weaving, as textiles is one craft that could be revitalized due to its functional nature and adaptability within the new contemporary framework. The craft of dhow building , for example could not be salvaged because there was no more any need or use for it . Weaving is something that continues to adapt to new tastes. Arabtimes And adaptation lends to preservation? Ans -A craft starts with a function. People wove to produce shelter and clothing for themselves. Any craft develops to a higher artistic level as the standard of skill and refinement grows, and Sadu weaving started as a functional domestic craft. In the future if we lose the craftsmen or artisans of the past, we can still preserve the traditions of weaving as an art form . It is important to preserve traditional arts and crafts as they fulfill a very important role in highlighting the cultural identity and creative expression. Arab Times -Is the environment in Kuwait conducive to the revival of old crafts? Or is there apathy on part of official bodies? Ans - In Kuwait , with the advent of oil ,social change was very sudden and fast .Within the short space of thirty years Kuwait went very quickly from a traditional society to a visibly modern state .As a result the country didnt go through the sensible assimilation and adaptation periods . Because the change was so sudden, there was no proper study of what is important and should be preserved. Regrettably we missed a lot by abolishing many aspects of our visible material culture. This became a lesson to other Gulf countries as to what should be avoided.

Arab Times Why did this happen? Ans I think the related governmental and official bodies did not do their proper homework ,nor researched and planned well this sudden transformation that took place. They should have documented and kept at least a traditional vocabulary of the character of the place . This would have served now as a valuable archive and effective guidelines to future generations. I am sad that so many things were knocked down. At least they should have preserved the string of old buildings and houses on the sea front near the Seif palace, it would have made a beautiful old district full of meaning and nostalgia . I am also angry and mad that people then took these matters lightly. Kuwait, mind you Chaitali is very rich in talent and highly innovative thinking . On a positive note, today we see a greater appreciation of past traditions and many young Kuwaitis are getting

inspired by the folklore and producing amazing work . It is encouraging to see so many young talented artists and designers. Arab Times But Sadu House has made some major contributions as far as archiving and preservation is concerned? Ans We have tried to preserve and document aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Kuwait in particular the art of weaving .Personally I have done what I could through my books and voluntary effort to research and promote those rich textiles ,but it is very small compared to what the government can do on a much bigger scale. Sadu House is a small museum that tells the story of weaving and tries to showcase the artisans creative work. However it cannot compensate for a comprehensive ethnographic museum that can bring out strongly the wonderful story of Kuwait, its culture and people . The government is rich and able enough to take this meaningful initiative that will make us all very happy and proud of our heritage.

Arab Times Are you happy with the way the Sadu Project has developed? Ans -I am a perfectionist by nature. There can be very difficult at times as I tend to expect a lot from myself and others. I had my share of disappointments but I also had my moments of fulfillment and joy. I do think Sadu House has captured the imagination of many in Kuwait and abroad and thus helped promote a better understanding and appreciation for the traditional arts in the Gulf . Arab Times -What is Kuwaiti about Sadu ? Are there any specific Kuwaiti elements in Sadu? Ans - Sadu weaving started in the desert as a Bedouin nomadic craft out of necessity and need. I have mentioned in my book that the Kuwaiti culture is a rich amalgamation and colorful blend of the desert and the sea. The desert is a very important part of our culture and this is how sadu enters the scene. Arab Times What are your future plans for Sadu House? Ans -The perfectionist in me is never completely satisfied! I am now handing the responsibility over to the younger members to take it forward. I believe Sadu House can grow further as a reservoir of creative artistic skills , and a valuable archive center for researchers ,students and textile enthusiasts . Arab Times I havent asked you about KTAA. Ans - I love the way KTAA started. It goes back again to this idea of cultural exchange. I had asked a British weaver to visit Kuwait for a lecture and workshop in 1994. We had a very good audience. Some of them approached me to form an organization that would allow them to meet and exchange ideas related to textile arts . I thought it to be an excellent idea. This is how it started. To me KTAA is one of the arms of Sadu House. A colorful group of talented textile enthusiasts from different nationalities that have been great supporters and friends . I am happy that many of the members of KTAA , that have learned about Kuwait's textile heritage and taken up Bedouin weaving courses

through the various given workshops and programs ,when they sadly leave the country ,they stay in touch ,and some become excellent cultural ambassadors for Kuwait . This is what cultural exchange is all about. Human creativity and art has no boundaries. It speaks a common universal language. Arab Times Has the pace of work lessened for you? Ans - My interest in human creative expression will not cease , nor will my curiosity to learn more . Regarding the Sadu Cooperative I will not be involved on a day to day basis. I want the project to stand on its own. At present I am working on some personal plans and programs that reflect my love and appreciation for the arts and aesthetics and hopefully will benefit cultural exchange and creative expression in general .

Arab Times It is a time for celebration for women in the Middle East with a big nod from the Nobel Foundation for Tawakkul Karmen, a Yemeni activist and journalist, the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. You have been a champion for womens rights yourself What are your thoughts on this momentous event? Ans Congratulations to Tawakkul Karmen. Her win of the Nobel Peace Prize is truly energizing to the Arab world. The fact that three women, two from Africa and one from the Middle East have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace is great! It goes to say how powerful and instrumental, is the role of women in making big changes through small yet bold steps. This victory sends a message of pride and triumph to all women of the world, as well as hope to human dignity and peace.

Biography Education Masters Degree in Social Anthropology from the American University of Beirut Experience Teacher of Anthropology Kuwait University (1977 to 1991) Member of the National Council of Education, Arts and Literature (1980-to1991) Founding Member and Former Director of Al Sadu Project for the preservation of traditional Bedouin weaving. Currently patron of Al Sadu Cooperative Society founded in 1991 to reinvigorate and promote Bedouin weavings of Kuwait.

Activities

Researcher and writer on culture and traditional arts in Kuwait. She is the author of Kuwait Traditions: Creative Expressions of a Culture 2001 and Ibjad, Ornate Tent Dividers and Weavings of the Kuwait Desert 2006 and several related papers . Patron of Kuwait Textiles Arts Association Made a documentary movie on the craft of Dhow building in Kuwait Ayadi Al Tourath, hands of Tradition. Participated in many conferences related to the traditional arts and crafts of the Arab and Islamic world .