In the heart of al-Sābiriyya, a district in Zawya city, where the threads of the past are interwoven with the present, the craft of loom weaving continues to prove its place as an authentic traditional heritage. Amidst the ‘masda,’ ‘nayr,’ and ‘birnabakh’ (names of loom parts), artisans produce the most beautiful silk fabrics by hand, in a craft that takes days.
Nasser bin Othman, a maker of silk robes, confirms that this craft is not merely an industry but an integral part of the cultural identity of al-Sābiriyya region. Despite the passage of time, women in the area still cherish wearing silk robes and scarves, especially for special occasions and weddings, because of the beauty and elegance they reflect, in addition to their heritage value that links the present to the past.
The loom industry in Libya dates back to the ancient Islamic eras, where traditional fabrics such as handmade carpets and embroidered furnishings were made. These crafts were part of traditional markets such as al-Zāwiya Market, Hadeed Market in Tripoli, al-Jarīd Market in Benghazi.
The loom is considered a fundamental tool in the weaving industry, where fabrics are woven from threads, and it is used especially in the manufacture of carpets, furnishings, and decorated fabrics. There are several types of looms, including the traditional loom that is used in weaving carpets and textiles using wool or cotton threads, and the handloom that requires great skill and precision from craftsmen, in addition to the mechanical loom that was introduced in some workshops to increase productivity.
The loom industry requires great skill in preparing the threads and coordinating colors and designs, and women played a major role in this industry, where they wove fabrics in homes or small workshops and learned this craft from mothers or experienced craftsmen. Traditional clothes such as jellabiyas and abayas were also made from fabrics woven by the loom, in addition to the traditional Libyan carpet, which is considered part of the cultural heritage in Tripoli and other cities and is distinguished by its unique designs and decorations.
With time and the development of modern industries, the demand for handmade products from the loom began to decline, but there are continuous attempts to preserve this craft through educational workshops and cultural organizations that support traditional crafts.
Despite the challenges, the loom industry in Libya remains a testament to the skill of the craftsmen and their loyalty to this heritage, hand weaving remains more than just an industry, rather it is a story woven with love and mastery.
