Khayamiya – From the Street of the Tentmakers

Khayamiya is a textile found throughout Egypt. The word itself comes from the Arabic word for tent, khayma. Originally, this appliqué technique was used for sewing tents by hand. Nowadays, khayamiya is also printed or made using a sewing machine. The pattern is still used for tents at funerals or weddings, but can also be found on pillowcases and lampshades, for example. Khayamiya tents and decorations are certainly unmissable in Egyptian streets, especially around Ramadan.

This exhibition showcases khayamiya not only as an art form but also the role it plays in the daily lives of Egyptians. It examines the production process, the use, and the appreciation of the panels. With colorful and detailed patterns, khayamiya depicts calligraphy, geometric motifs, nature scenes, Pharaonic imagery, and street scenes.

The exhibition was curated by Augusta de Gunzbourg, TRC curator, and Christina de Korte, visual artist and textile researcher. For her research into the technique, Christina learned to make khayamiya in the Street of the Tentmakers. During her time in Cairo, she researched the contemporary use of khayamiya around Ramadan. Her interdisciplinary approach highlights three themes: material culture and Islam, popular culture and piety, and living heritage.

In the context of this exhibition, Christina de Korte will give a lecture on July 19.