Irthi marks Pink October with workshops

Delivered under Irthi’s Community Engagement initiatives, the sessions taught participants how to make bookmarks using the Safeefah technique and create leather tally keychains, using pink materials, in solidarity with the Pink October campaign, and attracted over 100 participants on the first day.

Commitment to social responsibility

Her Excellency Reem BinKaram, Director of Irthi, emphasised the importance of the campaign and its role in raising awareness: “Our participation in the Pink Caravan activities reflects our commitment to social responsibility and institutional collaboration. It aligns with Irthi's mission to integrate Emirati crafts into community and awareness initiatives. Heritage is a means of human connection that can support the messages of positive campaigns.”

She added: “Sponsoring the Pink Caravan’s event in Aljada allowed us to engage the public through craft while promoting the cultural value of heritage. We want younger generations to see traditional Emirati crafts as something to learn, practise, and pass on.”

Bookmark workshop

The Bookmark workshop combined traditional craftsmanship with modern design, introducing participants to safeefah and saffafah, two of the UAE’s oldest palm-frond weaving techniques used to make baskets, mats and food covers.

Participants created bookmarks using these methods, learning how to transform raw natural materials into functional items that carry cultural meaning. The session reinforced patience, precision and manual skill, while showing how heritage crafts can remain relevant and engaging for new generations.

Leather tally keychain workshop

The leather tally keychain workshop combined traditional Emirati craftsmanship with modern design. Participants were introduced to tally, a handwoven decorative technique that uses cotton, metallic or camel leather threads to embellish garments and accessories.

Participants explored key tally weaving methods, including the Sayir Yay pattern, which uses a back-and-forth technique to produce detailed, balanced designs. Using camel leather threads, participants created keychains that showed how heritage crafts can be adapted into modern products while preserving cultural identity.

Established in 2015 under the Sharjah Family and Community Council, Irthi represents both traditional and contemporary crafts. It creates market opportunities, runs social development and vocational training programmes, and works to preserve the UAE’s cultural heritage and craft knowledge. Irthi delivers its work through initiatives, including the Bidwa Social Development Programme, Artisan Skills Exchange Programme, Hirfati Youth Programme, Azyame Fashion Entrepreneurs Programme and Crafts Dialogue.