Magic in Salah’s fingers…
Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
WATCHING Bahraini basket weaver Salah Al Madan at work is like watching a magician pull a rabbit from a hat.
It’s hard to figure out how he does it but within minutes he can turn a piece of lifeless palm stalk into a work of art.
Within an hour he had made a bracelet, a ruby ring, a warrior holding a spear, a flying horse and a camel.
Mr Al Madan, from Karbabad village, has been chosen to showcase his cultural talents at the show.
The 42-year-old is one of a handful of basket weavers in the country still keeping the traditional handicraft alive.
“I was very young when my grandfather taught me, I was about 10 years,” the father-of-four told the GDN.
“During school holidays, I would sit with my grandfather and help him. The first thing I made was a date basket.
“I have 14 brothers and sisters but I was the only one who learned, even my father couldn’t do it.”
During his grandfather’s time half of his village were basket weavers, but now there are only about half a dozen people who still practise the craft.
He is keen to keep the tradition alive and teaches weaving skills at Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre and at various schools around the country.
The skill is also being passed down to his four children, aged between nine and two.
“I want all my children to learn, Mohammed is nine and he can now make a small mat.”
Mr Al Madan studied to be a mechanic but his love for weaving took over and he has never looked back.
The weaver makes baskets, hats, mats, cots, ornaments, jewellery, bookmarks, toys and other items.
The palm material comes from Saudi Arabia and is coloured using a natural dye.
The average mat takes about 10 hours to make, while a date basket takes about six.
Mr Al Madan’s favourite item is a traditional basket with a cover because he remembers his grandfather making it.
“I get my inspiration because I like my job, it’s like magic, my ideas come from inside,” said the 42-year-old. His talents are showcased yearly at events and exhibitions in the GCC, the UK and Australia. His most recent exhibition was held at the Bahrain Embassy in London on December 16 to mark last year’s National Day. In two weeks, he will participate in a cultural exhibition in Doha, Qatar. In addition to his handicraft skills he is also an artist. His oil paintings of traditional scenes have been showcased in various exhibitions in the country. “Now I have made a room in my house that is full of antiques, I have a fan that is 100 years old. “I have a painting of my grandfather when he got married. “This exhibition is very easy for me, I am happy to see Shaikha Sabeeka again,” noted Mr Al Madan. “I’ve made many baskets for her and I write on the baskets by using dyed material.”