Common Threads Festival
Drop-in weaving activity
Over the course of the festival we will be creating the walls of an aqal (Somali hut) using alool weaving. This is a traditional craft rooted in the nomadic heritage of the Somali diaspora. The technique involves interlacing scrap textiles or yarns through thin, flexible branches to create a sturdy, rollable mat primarily used as a fireguard or door within a traditional nomadic aqal.
Everyday of the festival you’ll be able to come along and try your hand at some Somali weaving from 11am – 5pm. On Wednesday 9th September, we’ll be joined by the full Higsaad Alool Weavers team.
About the Artists
This activity is led by the Higsaad Alool Weavers, a group of Somali women living in Darnall who practise and teach traditional Somali weaving as part of the Common Threads Festival.
The group was founded and is coordinated by Saada Osman, who works to support Somali women in Sheffield take part in a range of events. She organises physical activities like walking and chairobics in the Darnall area and also acts as an interpreter for them when needed. Saada is a Community Facilitator with Common Threads and previously worked as Community Producer on Hinterlands where she programmed cross-cultural events with women in Darnall.