A monumental work

Hannah of enbrouderie gives us a glimpse of traditional embroidery on a grand scale that embodies cultural and reverent expression. Her explanation, photos, and links to additional resources introduce the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia–a cube-shaped building that is the most sacred site in Islam. The Kaaba is draped each year with a new Kiswa, a black silk cover with goldwork calligraphy. Hannah says,

The hand [in the photo] belongs to Fareed, who has been sewing the gold and silver threads into the Kiswa for more than 30 years. Embroidering the Kiswa is extremely prestigious work, and is done entirely by men.

See and learn much more at Hannah’s blog post.