hand: Pottery industry Pottery has a long history in the Fayoum since the pharaonic times. Abu Ballas, Father of Pots, was an important center of pottery history in the Fayoum. Located on the caravan trail that linked Wadi El Rayan and points south with Wadi Natrun and points north, Abu Ballas was a major station where caravans stopped to rest. The pots scattered around this area date from the Roman era and consist mainly of smashed amphorae. The pottery encountered there can be dated back to the Roman times. Pottery art continued in the Fayoum history and now is reinterpreted in two great pots centers, El Nazla and fanus. place: faus - Nazla _ Kom Ushim villages .. hand: Basketry and Palm Products The palm tree has played an important role in the lives of Fayoum farmers since the dawn of history. Some call it the tree of life because it can be used in a variety of ways and to make many products. The lands planted with palm trees in Fayoum extend over very large areas in most of the villages of Fayoum, especially in Atsa, Abshway, and Sennuras. During the palm's long life, farmers prune it to help it grow, and the harvest resulting from this pruning process is also used to make baskets. Made of rice straw and date palm leaves, the coiled baskets of Fayoum come in a large variety of shapes varying from large laundry baskets to dainty ones for little trinkets. This basketry technique has been found in Fayoum since the Neolithic period, long before the pharaohs came into power. The baskets are made by women working at home. El-Alaam and El Kaabi villages are centers of the famous Fayoum basket making tradition. place: Al-Elam Village - Al-Kaabi Village .. hand: Handmade carpet manufacturing The manufacture of handmade carpets has been known in Fayoum since 5000 years BC. The tools vary between very complex machines and very simple manual looms. There are also three types of fibers, the first of which is natural fibers taken from plants and animals, such as fibers taken from flax, in addition to other fibers taken from animals such as wool, camel hair, goats, and rabbits. The second type of fiber is synthetic fibers such as copper silk and artificial silk, while the third type includes fibers made from mixing natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The hand tools used to make traditional carpets, mats and kilims are mainly used in rural Fayoum. The manufacture of kilims, carpets, and mats are considered traditional crafts based on simple looms and are found in many Fayoum villages, such as Dasia, Bashir, Dar Al-Salam, Rahmi, and Motawwal. place: Dasia, Bashir, Dar Al-Salam, Rahmi, and Motawwal .. hand: Rowboat construction The village of Kahk is one of the well-known places for manufacturing small boats that range between 8 and 10 meters in length. It takes one to two months to make each boat, using wood that cannot absorb water, and painting it with bitumen or any material that prevents the penetration of water and protects it. Making a boat eight meters long requires approximately 2 tons of wood. Beni Suef, which is about 85 kilometers from Fayoum and 135 kilometers from Minya, is the main market for these wood resources. place: Kahk Village .. hand: Cordage (Dobarah) made from flaxplant Garfas village is famous for its production of the cordage (rope) made from the flaxplant.Thiscraftisthreatened to disappear due to the increase of the prices of the flaxplantandalsobecausefewleaderscontrol the linen trade. Simple tools are required and can be made mainly inside people’s houses. These tools consist of a wooden frame and three long nails fixedinoneofthewalls.Onlytwomembersof the family can participate in making these cordages. place: Garfas Village .. hand: Fishing nets manufacturing Many fishermen of Kahk manufacture the nets they need themselves. Women and children participate in this process in their houses. They get the raw fiber materials from Cairo or Fayoum place: Kahk village ..

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