SHAHID Thob الثوب الشاهد¶

SHAHID means WITNESS

This thobe is not merely a piece to be worn; it is a space for storytelling.

Its fabric carries the story of Palestine under occupation, where symbols become memory, and lines become testaments to what was imposed by force and has not been erased by time. Every detail embodies a stage of oppression, loss, and displacement, while simultaneously reflecting the act of steadfastness and perseverance. The symbols used are not for decoration, but to document what has passed and to retell a story that the dominant powers attempt to obliterate, yet it remains present on the body, just as Palestine remains present in the consciousness.

Inspiration¶

This Thobe is based on the traditional Palestinian thobe in terms of its cut and overall structure, and its Tatreez patterns arrangement are inspired by well-known heritage motifs. The symbols used in this work have been generated to embody the period of occupation and reflect the suffering of Palestinians during this time, in an attempt to connect the traditional form with a contemporary narrative that embodies both memory and reality.

Emotions & Visual Symbols survey¶

To generate new symbols for Shahid thobe, I began by surveying how people perceived what was happening; this perception would shape the symbols that speak of what has happened and is happening in PALESTINE.

Symbols¶

Chest panel¶

This collection vividly expresses the widespread, diverse, and multifaceted concept of aggression, from the time of the Nakba to what Gaza has witnessed in the last two years. No work exists as an isolated event, but rather as a continuous fragment of climate-based targeting, where the civilian becomes a space of discrimination, and the element is present in every detail. Through this expansion, the actual landscape is disrupted, and it is visually re-presented as an act, not as a story from the past.

Chest Panel parts¶

Bombing

This symbol represents the explosions that occur during aggression, as a visual effect that embodies the imposed violence and the shock and destruction it leaves in the lives of civilians.

Rubble

This symbol represents the ruins and destruction left by the bombing, as a physical and visual trace of what remains after the violence and the devastation it leaves in place and memory.

Blood

This symbol represents the blood that is shed as a result of aggression, as an indication of the human price paid by civilians and the loss and ongoing pain caused by the occupation.

Side panels¶

Barbed wires

This symbol represents the barbed wire used to make life more difficult for Palestinians, to divide Palestine, and to impose isolation and restrictions on the land and people.

Cactus

This symbol represents the prickly pear cactus, which has grown naturally in Palestine since ancient times. Palestinians used it as a hedge around their villages, extracted dyes from it, and it was also a staple food due to its distinctive flavor.

Here, the prickly pear symbolizes the ongoing Palestinian resistance; a resistance that doesn't shout or seek attention, but remains steadfast, quietly and resolutely declaring: I exist.

Sleeves¶

Cuffs & Disposable restraints

This symbol represents the tools of arrest used against Palestinians, as the beginning of a long ordeal in the occupation’s detention centers and the lasting psychological and physical impact they leave.

Lower back panel¶

This symbol represents the refugee and displacement tents that have become a forced dwelling for civilians as a result of the occupation, as evidence of the loss of security and stability.

Color Palette¶

Since this garment addresses the period of occupation, and based on the opinions of survey participants, the color palette was carefully chosen to reflect the collective experience associated with this era. The selected colors serve not only as an aesthetic element but also as a means of expression, carrying psychological and symbolic connotations derived from people's perceptions and visual connection to this period.

The color palette of this thobe is dark colors to be suitable to tell the story of occupation, we can see that just the yellow & the orange of explosion symbols are bright colors, make it focal point to make it under spot.

Technical illustration of the thobes's structure and symbols¶

This is a set of suggestions for arranging the Tatreez pattern on the Thobe, aimed at exploring the best distribution of decorative elements in harmony with the structure of the garment and maintaining the visual and semantic balance of the design.

Thobe development¶

According to the basic story of the Recoded Tatreez first collection, the second thobe is Shahid Thobe which is witness that represents the story of the period during the occupation and tells its story.

So from this point I started to think about the design, symbols and colors of the thobe that will tell the story.

First Step choosing the fabric.

like other thobes, I choose Moiré fabric which is 50% cotton & 50% synthetic silk, which is woven in Alepo / syria.

I choose a special color which is non clear black (they left the cotton seed within the threads while weaving). The color of the fabric reflects the dust as a symbol of the suffering caused by the aggression of the occupation, and the lasting impact it has on the collective memory.