An immersive audio-visual tribute to Al-Sadu weaving showcased the rhythmic transformation of raw wool into textiles for traditional Bedouin tents.

The Formation of Soof paid homage to the essential materials and tools of the Al-Sadu craft: wool (soof) and the spindle (maghzal or ghazal). Al-Sadu, a traditional weaving technique practiced by Bedouin women in the UAE, used wool from sheep, camels, and goats. Historically, this craft was fundamental to building Bedouin tent structures, known as bait al-shaar (Bedouin tents).

Presented by House of Artisans in collaboration with the Qasr Alhosn and the Music and Sound Cultures (MaSC) Research Group at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Formation of Soof was an installation that celebrated the rhythmic flow of spinning, transforming raw material into integral communal and social structures. The textiles woven through Al-Sadu featured plain and geometric patterns inspired by nature, serving not only as decoration but also as a structural element for traditional tents. These textiles were also used to adorn interiors and decorate animals with saddle pieces and straps. The labor-intensive spinning of wool, which transformed raw wool into yarn, was key to weaving Sadu textiles.

The Formation of Soof honored this intimate process and, through creative audio-visual elements, offered an immersive exploration of the craft’s cultural significance.

About House of Artisans:

House of Artisans, an initiative by the Department of Culture & Tourism Abu Dhabi, serves as a vital hub for preserving the UAE’s rich heritage and traditional crafts, deeply rooted in the relationship between the people of the United Arab Emirates and the locally available natural resources and landscapes—desert, oases, coast, and sea. These crafts showcase expressions and aesthetics that have been shared across generations, preserving not only practical skills but also the social values associated with Emirati identity have developed skills to meet functional and economic needs. To keep these important traditions alive, House of Artisans offers a range of training courses, educational workshops, and events, ensuring that these time-honored practices continue to thrive.