Ramla: Mat Makers

Date: 1951-58

Wilfred Thesiger (d. 2003) records the making of mats in this settlement. This process started the splitting of qasab canes with a curved knife by a male member of the family. The split sections were given to a woman who laid them in groups of twenty and pounded them with a wooden pestle. Once flexible, these were then woven into herringbone patterns by a boy. The second and third stages of the process were also photographed by Thesiger in Madan region. See also: Weaver; Carpenter; Reed House Builder; Rug Maker.