This Map of Historic Palestine and Popular Fashion documents the historical, religious, and archaeological sites of Palestine and associates them with their local Palestinian fashion that has been preserved throughout history. In perfect harmony, each dress is a manifestation of identity and a historical document of our presence and existence in each and every Palestinian village and city. Palestinian women have drawn and embroidered their dresses with trees and flowers, inspired by their surroundings of a rural environment and by their social customs and tradition. This map links ancient Canaanite dress to the archaeological site of Hisham’s Palace in Jericho, Al-Gabani and Al-Asawiri dresses to Jerusalem, the dress of Heaven And Hell to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Dome of the Rock (not in that order!), the dress of Gaza and al-Majdal to Gaza’s air and sea ports, and the dress of the Galilee to the Wall of Akko.

 

 

This map is one of the most important productions of the Palestinian Heritage Center that was founded in 1991 with the aim of documenting, revitalizing, preserving, and disseminating Palestinian heritage. For more information, log on to www.phc.ps, or to Maha Saca or Palestinian Heritage Center on Facebook.

 

By Maha Saca, Manager, Palestinian Heritage
Center, Bethlehem.