By Lara Alhasannieh | Staff Writer
Traveling by bus on the roads of Amman, Jordan, one cannot help but marvel at the beautiful handicrafts on display at every rest stop. What stood out for me were the beautiful ceramics exhibited on the shelves of every shop I visited: a beautiful array of blues, reds, and greens. Lines on smooth reflective surfaces seemed to flow so seamlessly between each other in a symmetrical pattern. The stylistic choices seem to be consistent yet beautifully unique. Imageries of flowers, leaves, and houses were encased by dots and lines of various yet vibrant colors. At first glance, everything appeared to be about Jordanian tradition and culture, but a closer look showed me the many Jerusalem and Palestinian artworks and symbols that were displayed around the shop.
From speaking with multiple Jordanian merchants, I came to notice how strong Jordanian relations are with Palestinians. In fact, many Palestinian people not only lived but grew up in Jordan and the accents from both countries sounded almost indistinguishable to me. However, I came to realize that not only are their languages similar, but their traditions are also enmeshed in a wonderful display of ceramics, pottery, embroidery, and many more handicrafts. Many Palestinians have been displaced into Jordan since the annexation of the West Bank in 1950[1], and currently, most Jordanians are of Palestinian origin.
Every single shop appeared to be filled with hand-painted ceramics, and after further investigation, I came to learn that they all derive from one source; Hebron, a Palestinian city in the southern West Bank, is mostly known for glass blowing and ceramics. The Hebron Glass and Ceramics factory has been producing these traditional Palestinian ceramics since 1962. According to the Al-Jazeera interview with Khaled Al-Natsheh, only fifty to sixty people know how to make these ceramics today. The process involves molding each item from clay, leaving it to dry for two days, and then putting it in an electric oven for 24 hours to set. The items are then painted and glazed in a shop nearby, then returned to the oven. The factory began exporting ceramics during the second Intifada, where the family that owns it had to find new ways of selling their products. Currently, the factory exports a lot of its products to Jordan, the United States, Europe, and Australia[2].
The patterns applied to these ceramics are found in local architecture, such as the tulips drawn that are native to the region[3]. Many bowl-shaped ceramics had a drawing of Jerusalem on them. The art is a perfect balance between realism and a cartoonish style. My eyes gazed in awe, what a simplistic style: no shading, but perfect lining and an intriguing image of reality. The colors danced joyfully on the ceramic, never experiencing a dull moment. A story of a once-peaceful land seemed to be told passionately through these colors.
Blue was the color that stood out to me most, apparently a popular choice used to hand paint those ceramics. According to most Middle Eastern countries, blue is seen as the color of protection[4]. Next in line are the colors red, green, and white, with the latter acting as the base of the ceramic. Each of these colors can be found in the Palestinian flag, a representation of the struggle for freedom.
After holding myself back from purchasing the entirety of the store, I left with some of the best souvenirs one could get from a place filled with a rich history. All the way from Hebron, I placed in my bag an engraved blue mug with black lines intersecting all over, and a beautiful vase with yellow dotted flowers with an ombre of dark and light blue covering the ceramic. Returning to the bus with physical memories of culture and life that should never be forgotten or buried, Palestinian ceramics will continue to live on in my heart and mind forever.