Blind weaver supports family with Sadu craft

At the 7th annual Olive Festival in Al-Jawf, visitors had the opportunity to witness the inspiring story of Mokeeda bint Abdullah Al-Rowaili, who lost her sight at the age of seven leaving her legally blind.
Mokeeda, with the grace of God, overcame the struggles of raising her five children after the death of her husband through mastering the Sadu weaving craft, a talent she inherited from her mother. Through the craft, Mokeeda was able to secure a source of income and support her family.
Mokeeda, known as Om Azeb, displayed her talent during the Olive Festival, which she participated in for the first time.
“I experienced much pain in my hands, as I would prick my fingers using the machine, especially during the early stages when I was still learning from my mother how to spin after I lost my sight. Eventually, with the grace of God, I mastered the technique,” she said, while working on the Sadu machine.
In the past, the craft relied on the use of camel hair as well as sheep and goat wool. Sadu weaving involves using several tools such as the spindle and wooden pegs, she explained. The machine itself links four chords in the form of a rectangle, through which items such as pillows and blankets are made.
Om Azeb added that the craft of weaving has helped her secure a source of income and allowed her to own a herd of sheep. With positivity, she added, the loss of her sight has not hindered her ability to carry out her life normally or to provide for her children.
It takes Om Azeb around four days to complete a full piece, but she often relies on her only daughter to prepare the colors and draw popular designs that are in demand.
“When I want to prepare a specific design, I ask my daughter about the types of colors in front of me and then I add the pigments before I prepare and create it. After this preparatory step, I continue to work until I am finished with the piece,” she explained.
Mokeeda expressed her pleasure with the opportunity to participate in the festival, adding that she looks forward to participating in other national festivals outside of Al-Jawf, such as the Aljanadriya Festival.
She also expressed her gratitude to the King Abdulaziz Charity Organization for Women as well as the management of the Olive Festival who invited her to participate in the event.