User:Yousra1003/Wafa Ghnaim

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Wafa Ghnaim is a Palestinian-American author, curator, and activist known for her work in preserving and promoting Palestinian cultural heritage, particularly through the art of embroidery. Born and raised in the United States, Ghnaim has dedicated her career to documenting and sharing the rich history and traditions of the Palestinian people, with a particular focus on the art of tatreez, or embroidery.

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Ghnaim currently resides in New York, but grew up in Milwaukie, Oregon where she also graduated from Milwaukie High School in 2001. Ghnaim picked up tatreez from her mother, Feryal Abbasi-Ghnaim, who led her to learning about and practicing tatreez from an early age. Ghnaim’s book, “Tatreez & Tea: Embroidery & Storytelling in the Palestinian Diaspora,” was heavily influenced by her mother who wanted to write a book on the importance of Palestinian embroidery. Much of why Ghnaim became passionate on tatreez was not only because of her Palestinian heritage, but because of the impacts that affected her family surrounding the Palestinian diaspora in 1948. Ghnaim’s mother and other family members fled Palestine and settled in Syria during that period, living in refugee camps. The inspirations of her book greatly come from her 20s when she traveled to Syria to learn about the significance of Abbasi-Ghnaim's work after the diaspora, spreading Palestinian embroidery to other displaced Palestinians in Syria. When the Syrian War broke out in 2011, Ghnaim felt the most conflicted due to having to leave behind family members and as a result decided to channel her feelings into writing her book. Ghnaim wrote her book to pay tribute to her family in Syria, her mother’s work, and to celebrate and share tatreez’s culture.

Ghnaim's passion for preserving Palestinian cultural heritage is evident in her book. The book explores the significance of tatreez as a form of storytelling and cultural expression within the Palestinian diaspora, shedding light on the historical and social context of this traditional art form. Through her writing, Ghnaim has brought attention to the importance of preserving and celebrating Palestinian embroidery as a means of connecting with and understanding Palestinian history and identity.

In addition to her work as an author, Ghnaim serves as a curator for the Museum of the Palestinian People, where she continues to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Palestinian cultural heritage. Through her role at the museum, Ghnaim has curated exhibitions and educational programs that highlight the diverse and vibrant cultural traditions of the Palestinian people, furthering her mission to share the beauty and significance of Palestinian art and heritage with a global audience. Beyond her work in the cultural sector, Ghnaim is also an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and freedom. She has spoken out about the politicization of Palestinian cultural heritage, emphasizing that the preservation of traditional dress and embroidery should be regarded as a cultural and humanitarian contribution rather than a political statement. Ghnaim's commitment to preserving Palestinian cultural heritage while advocating for justice and freedom for her people reflects her deep-rooted dedication to both her heritage and the broader Palestinian community.

The embroideress and historian has taken other several important steps in her career to preserve and share Palestinian history through the traditional craft of tatreez. She has not only learned the techniques and stories behind each embroidery pattern from her mother but has also passed down this tradition to thousands of students across North America. Not only does she serve as an artist in residence at the Museum of Palestinian People in Washington D.C. like previously mentioned, but Ghnaim also teaches workshops at the prestigious institution the Smithsonian Museum. These accomplishments highlight her dedication to preserving her family's culture and humanizing the Palestinian experience through the art of tatreez. This alone is not stopping her from spreading tatreez, as a second book is also in the works. In this second book, she plans to document tatreez patterns in the collections of major museums and private collections. This book will likely provide a comprehensive overview of the different tatreez patterns and their significance, further contributing to the preservation and sharing of Palestinian history and culture.

Overall, Wafa Ghnaim's work as an author, curator, educator, and embroideress has made a great impact in preserving and promoting Palestinian cultural heritage. Through her writing, curation, and advocacy, she has brought attention and recognition to Palestinian embroidery and traditional dress. Her dedication to documenting and sharing the history and traditions of the Palestinian people serves as a testament to her commitment to preserving and celebrating Palestinian cultural heritage for generations to come.