Tatreez Talk Podcast Episode 001: Our Tatreez Journeys
Amanne reached out to me about a month and a half ago asking if I’d be interested in joining her as a co-host on the first ever podcast about tatreez.
Um given my borderline unhealthy obsession with tatreez…How could I possibly say no?!
About a year ago, I had a fleeting idea - as I so often do - about this concept of something that you can listen to while you are stitching. I didn’t quite put the word podcast against it because I hadn’t really taken this particular idea seriously as something I would pursue in the near term. All I knew was there is something really interesting to me about passing on knowledge, stories, experiences, information orally WHILE practicing tatreez - similar to how Palestinians historically would practice their tatreez together.
Imagine this: A group of women spanning three generations in a village are sitting together. They’ve spent their entire day tending to the land and preparing meals and rightfully so, they’re taking a breather together either in a room or just outside their home within a seating space in the garden. They’ve each pulled out their own individual embroidery project and there’s a basket of threads, fabrics, and something to cut with in the middle that they can all reach and share. They begin. Begin to stitch but also begin to tell each other all about their days. Someone recreates a story of the funniest thing that they witnessed out in the fields, and they all burst out laughing. They continue to make jokes and tease one another. They entrust to each other their wishes and dreams…
WHAT IF we could recreate this vision amongst ourselves today?
WHAT IF we could connect and tell stories while practicing our beloved art form?
WHAT IF we could lean into each other with all the experiences - both stressful and joyful - that make up who we are and who we become?
WHAT IF even though we are not in the same place at the same time this were possible?
Well…we have the technology to communicate across time and space. And so really, a podcast is the most obvious concept to put out in the world!
At least for now…until we see a free, liberated Palestine to revive the tradition.
I hope you’ll join us on our podcast journey geeking out over all things tatreez.
SHOW NOTES
THE CO-HOSTS BEHIND TATREEZ TALK: THE PODCAST TO ACCOMPANY YOU WHILE YOU STITCH.
Lina (@linasthobe): Palestinian Panamanian who learned the cross-stitch from her brilliantly talented latina mother and made the connection that the main Palestinian embroidery technique is one and the same as the cross-stitch in 2019 after taking an in-person tatreez class with Wafa Ghnaim from Tatreez & Tea.
Amanne (@minamanne): Learned the cross-stitch on her own using YouTube videos by Roba in 2018. Initially dove into the beauty of tatreez and using tatreez to beautify things but then fell in love with the community, history, and meaning and significance that tatreez has to offer as she learned more.
Lina & Amanne discuss all things tatreez, including appreciation for handmade things, getting pieces framed (any Palestinian framers out there that we can recommend for all of our projects?!), the process of creating something beautiful, the remarkable community, and the healing, soothing, therapeutic aspects of tatreez.
You’ll hear about:
>> 2:52: Introduction to Lina’s Tatreez Journey
>> 7:36: Introduction to Amanne’s Tatreez Journey
>> 12:39: The impact of COVID on tatreez (hint: community)
>> 14:21: Amanne and Lina get introduced
>> 21:20: Transitioning from Lina’s individual practice to a thobe and teaching
>> 24:00: What does tatreez mean to us? (hint: connection to Palestine, healing, community)
>> 31:00: The feeling of home in Palestine through tatreez
>> 35:39: Storytelling through tatreez
>> 40:50: Diversity in the tatreez community
>> 42:30: Tatreez as art and the stitcher as an artist
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“I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!
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Links mentioned in this episode:
>> Wafa Ghnaim from Tatreez & Tea (instagram/website)
>> Roba’s Tatreez YouTube Videos in Arabic
>> Almacén de Pontejos in Madrid for an experience buying needlework materials
>> Tatreez kits: Min Amanne, Badan Collective, Hint of Tatreez
