Sharjah24: Carefully sculpting a piece of wood on a rudimentary hand-powered machine, Ibrahim Solih, a 50-year-old Maldivian artisan, demonstrates the dexterity and skills involved in the crafting of wooden lacquerware – a distinctive handicraft of the island nation – to visitors at the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD) being held in Heart of Sharjah until April 10.
Maldives is one of the eight nations showcasing their unique arts and crafts at the ‘World Heritage Village’ pavilion at SHD. Here, visitors can watch as Ibrahim sculpts a piece of wood to the desired form, then coats it with layers of different coloured laquer and polishes the finished work with dried palm leaves to give it a smooth, glossy finish.
Solih, who entered the profession, at the tender age of 12, is one of the few artisans working hard to keep alive Maldives’ history of craftsmanship. “I learnt the skills from my father and was enamoured by the intricate designs and bright colours of this wooden lacquerware craft form, also known as ‘liyelaa jehun’,” he said.
“Brought to Maldives in the 17th century, it has been practiced throughout the island since. Today, it is only produced in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve as this complex and time-consuming art form is no longer commercially attractive for the younger generation,” Solih added.
The artisan uses the light-coloured wood of a local tree that grows abundantly throughout the country which is then shaped and hollowed out to form exquisitely crafted jewel boxes, containers, vases, and ornamental objects. Lacquer, made from the juice of the cashew tree is blended with natural pigments of red, black and yellow. The sculpted wood is coated, layer upon layer, with these colours. The objects are sometimes delicately carved with intricate floral designs, to appeal to a larger clientele.
An array of brightly coloured key rings, small pillboxes, jewellery boxes of various sizes, decorative plates, and vases draw the attention of visitors. Starting from as little as AED 30 for key rings to hand-etched vases commanding prices up to AED 600, there are plenty of choices to suit every budget here.
Organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the 18th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days is open to visitors from 4–10pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.
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