Latakia, Feb. 6 (SANA) In a quiet corner of Latakia’s countryside, Syrian artisan Nabhan Kafraqtari sits among piles of reeds, practicing a craft that has endured for generations but now faces extinction.
Inside his modest workshop, Kafraqtari does more than weave baskets and trays. With each strand of reed, he preserves a piece of Syria’s rural memory, striving to keep alive a traditional craft threatened by the spread of plastic products and changing lifestyles.
Gift of nature
Reeds, which grow naturally along riverbanks, were once an essential material in rural Syria. They were fashioned into baskets for harvesting olives, trays for serving bread, and furniture that reflected the simplicity and warmth of village life. Today, the craft which blends functionality with aesthetic value and cultural identity is increasingly marginalized by mass-produced alternatives.
Regional roots across Syria
Historically, reed weaving flourished in several Syrian regions. Along the Latakia coast, both men and women practiced it to meet daily needs. In Deir Ezzor, artisans produced zuroob woven reed screens used as partitions in traditional tents while in the Ghouta near Damascus, reed baskets were commonly used to transport agricultural produce.
Inherited a dream to fulfil it
“I learned this craft from my father, who learned it from my grandfather,” Kafraqtari said, to SANA in English his fingers moving swiftly through the interlaced reeds. “It is not just a way to earn a living. It is a tangible memory passed down from one generation to another.”
After completing his studies, Kafraqtari chose to return to the workshop to continue his father’s work. His handmade products are now sold across several Syrian provinces and exported to Lebanon and Iraq.
Skill, time and durability
Each basket serves a specific purpose. Olive baskets are wide and durable, fruit baskets light and elegant. Larger pieces can take up to two hours to complete, while smaller items may require only minutes. Their strength lies not in the material itself, but in traditional weaving techniques skills learned through practice rather than instruction giving the products durability that can last for years.
Battle against time
The craft’s decline began in the mid-20th century, as plastic goods became cheaper and more widely available. While plastic offered convenience, it pushed traditional reed baskets to the margins of everyday use. Today, however, the craft survives as a heritage product, sought after by those who value authenticity and supported by individual initiatives such as Kafraqtari’s.
Preserving the craft, he says, is more than a cultural exercise. “We need to teach our children this profession,” Kafraqtari said. “What we forget today may be impossible to recover tomorrow.”
Iman Al-Zuheiri/RK
