Embroidery ArtPalestinian HeritageHomeland IdentityRoots and History

Palestinian embroidery, Tatreez

is a cornerstone of the Palestinian heritage, which its splendor stands out in the Palestinian cultural dresses, Thobes. As a female led art, Tatreez is a method of self-expression, communication and representation of womanhood. The practice of Tatreez originated in Palestine 3000 years ago. A unique form of embroidery that brings together colored threads in various patterns to create traditional motifs. Motifs are area specific, and are the language of distinction between different parts, villages and cities of Palestine.

The art of Tatreez developed different changes over time to reflect the events that had happened to the Palestinians, which can be seen in the Thobes before 1948 where the motifs and colors specifies areas, social and marital status of women, and Thobes in Diaspora where the women in the refugee camps embroider their memories of their homelands on their dresses, then we see Thobes during the first intifada where women changed the motifs into the Palestinian flags and map so they can walk around carrying those symbols on their Thobes without the soldiers being able to take them down as they do with men. Nowadays the Tatreez is being applied to modern designs so Palestinian women can wear them on all occasions and show their pride of their heritage anywhere they go.

What we do

Generations Passing to Generations

Believing in the importance of preserving this Palestinian art and to pass down skills and patterns from generation to generation as part of our Palestinian identity and existence, Canada Palestine Cultural Associations started in April 2022 the “ Tatreez Training Workshops “, open to all ages and backgrounds in which students will learn simple stitches and motifs and progress to more complicated ones and to learn how to apply Tatreez to garments of their choice.

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Learn More About Our Amazing Team Leads

Tatreez Instructors

A dedicated members of the Palestinians Community in Edmonton, AB. Volunteering their time, and sharing their rich knowledge and experience with all participants.

Team Lead

Manal Kalousa

Manal was born in Khan Younis refugee Camp in Gaza, where her grandparents settled after being kicked off their city Al Majdal in 1948. Manal holds a Bachelor of Science. She is a Registered Massage Therapist and a Certified Nutrition Consultant. Manal is the Lead for the Tareez program at Canda Palestine Cultural Association. She has been living in Edmonton since 1999, and has been an active member in the community and with Canada Palestine Cultural Association since 2019.

Instructor

Khoulod Taqatqa

She is a An Edmonton-based Palestinian born in Kuwait. Moved to Canada in 2001 with her family. She is a self-taught seamstress and talented Tatreez artist, as well as a nurturing figure in her community. In 2005, Known for her passion for upcycling and successful catering side business, Khoulod's contributions extended to her leadership in community activities, notably the Tatreez Workshop and Palestinian Heritage Festival.

Instructor

Amal Kayali

Amal was born in Damascus, Syria, where her family was displaced from Palestine, specifically from Jaffa, in 1948. She lived in Yarmouk camp in Damascus and studied in UNRWA schools. At school and in art education class, she learned the art of embroidery, crochet, and drawing. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1998,and lived in Halifax for 23 years before moving to Edmonton where she joined the CPCA as a volunteer and a member of the Women Committee .Amal is a Tatreez and Crochet instructor , and one of the Threads of Diaspora Project team in CPCA .

Instructor

Amal Alam Eldeen

Amal Alameldeen was born in Khan Younis camp in Palestine .Amal’s parents are originally from Jaffa .They were kicked out of Jafa in 1948 to settle in Gaza then to khan Younis. Amal finished her Bachelor’s degree in biology and Master degree in curricula and teaching methods, methodology. Amal worked as a teacher for 15 years. During her work Amal was an active community member, she was an organizer for health committee, social committee and organizer for many activities like Palestinian cultural day at the school. Amal came to Edmonton in 2018 as a refugee with her family. In 2022 Amal started her work as Arabic and Quran teacher in Almustafa Academy. Amal joined the CPCA as Volunteer and a member of the Women Committee. In 2021 Amal became a Tatreez instructor in CPCA and one of the Threads of Diaspora Project team.

Learn More About Our Amazing Team Leads

Tatreez Instructors

A dedicated members of the Palestinians Community in Edmonton, AB. Volunteering their time, and sharing their rich knowledge and experience with all participants.

Team Lead

Manal Kalousa

Instructor

Khoulod Taqatqa

Instructor

Amal Kayali

Instructor

Amal Alam Eldeen

What Makes Us Proud!

Threads Of Diaspora

An Edmonton-Based project of a 3 meter Tatreez quilt made from 441 individual pieces. Each piece is crafted and stitched individually using the colors of the Palestinian flag and the design of each participants choice.