Pieces of Culture We Hold

Sura is a social enterprise and NGO based in rural Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, that empowers local women through the production of handmade lifestyle products. Born in 2017 out of a collective effort by mothers seeking to fund their children's education, the organization provides training and dignified employment to women with little to no prior education. Operating under the umbrella of Project Kanavu, Sura (which means "shark" in Tamil) represents the strength and resilience of

Place of Origin : Sur, Oman The Ghanjah is the most celebrated vessel in Sur's maritime history and serves as the official emblem of the city, symbolising Oman's legacy as a premier seafaring nation . Historically used for long-distance trade between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, this massive wooden dhow is recognised by its elegantly curved prow topped with a characteristic trefoil carving and an ornately decorated transom stern reminiscent of 18th-cen

Place of Origin :  Istanbul, Turkey These iconic vessels are known locally as the Kandil , a term derived from the Arabic qindīl for oil lamp, and the Fanus , which refers to the protective lantern casing. Their origins trace back 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia , where simple ceramic vessels were first designed to hold oil and a wick. Over centuries, these humble tools evolved into the intricate art forms seen today, particularly during the Ottoman period. A popular cultu

Place of Origin :  Dubai, United Arab Emirates In the United Arab Emirates and the wider GCC region, decorated camels serve as vibrant ambassadors of a nomadic heritage that spans centuries. These "ships of the desert" are frequently adorned with Al Sadu, an ancient Bedouin weaving technique recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Using wool from camels, goats, and sheep, women traditionally hand-weave these textiles into long, narrow strips featuring bold geom

Place of Origin : Iran Iranian (Persian) woven coaster mats and rugs are deeply rooted in a 2,500-year-old weaving tradition that serves as a living archive of Iran’s cultural and spiritual identity. Circular designs, frequently featuring central medallions known as  Toranj , are symbolic representations of the  heavens or the cosmos , radiating outward to signify divine order and completeness. Common motifs like the  Boteh  (paisley) represent the cypress tree, a Zoroastria

Place of Origin : Palestine The key symbol on Palestinian keychains represents the "Right of Return" and serves as a poignant emblem of the homes lost during the 1948 Nakba (Arabic for "Catastrophe"). When over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled during the conflict, many took their house keys with them, believing their displacement would be temporary and they would soon return to unlock their front doors. Over decades, these physical objects—often large, heavy, and..