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Holy Land Handicrafts Cooperative
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| Abu Sauda, Olivewood Carver | The Holy Land Handicrafts Cooperative Society represents Palestinian artisans working in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. The Cooperative was established in 1981 in reaction to the deterioration of local sales under Israeli occupation. The Cooperative represents 40 olivewood and mother-of-pearl workshops and benefits more than 140 families directly, and other local small businesses indirectly.
The tradition of producing mother-of-pearl religious artifacts (crosses, rosaries and nativities) was introduced to the area in the 17th century by Franciscan monks and the carvings skills have been passed down through families for generations. The skills required to carve beautiful olivewood and mother-of-pearl artifacts are a cultural treasure and a source of great pride to the Palestinian community. Holy Land Handicrafts markets the products through its own shop and exports to A Greater Gift and other fair trade organizations in Europe and in the U.S.
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| Your orders help with food, school costs for my 3 children and help to make life’s conditions better. We are artists and we depend on orders for our livelihood. Life is better. We can purchase our own looms. - Raphael Morales - MCCH, Ecuador. |
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