"Wool industry" craft, part of ancient heritage

RINAS REMO / QAMISHLO

Many people in North Syria, especially al-Jazeera region, rely on raising livestock as a source of livelihood, not only by benefiting from their milk, dairy products and meat, but also from their wool, which is used in the manufacture of carpets, pillows, quilts and bedding.

After mowing the sheep's wool, it is soaked in water for more than 6 hours, after which scouring comes where the wool is beaten with a large stick to remove the hay and straw from it, to be washed then and cleaned with water and shampoo again to become completely clean.

Then, the wool is put on chairs to dry a little, and then it is exposed to the sun on hangers for a whole day until it completely dries.

After the drying process, it is separated through a machine called the Dok (Tah Shi). It is cut and disassembled very well, and then each two threads are placed on the radiator machine to unify the threads with one thread to be ready for use afterwards.

Thus, wool is ready for the manufacture of bedding, carpets, pillows, quilts and horses saddles. In addition, the garment is made of sheep wool which its age not reached one year.

Despite the availability of ready-made mattresses, many of al-Jazeera region residents, especially those who own sheep, use mattresses made of wool.

(H/S)

ANHA