Khayamiya appliqué panel from the Street of the Tentmakers, Cairo, Egypt, 2012 (TRC.2013.0314).Khayamiya is a textile that is omnipresent in Egypt. The word itself is derived from the Arabic word for tent, namely khayma. Originally, it was an appliqué technique that was used for making hand-sewn tents. Nowadays, khayamiya can also be made with other techniques, such as machine-sewing or (digital) printing. Especially before and during Ramadan, khayamiya tents and decorations are ubiquitous in the Egyptian streets.
Khayamiya is embedded in Egyptian Islamic culture. Khayamiya is used as an atmosphere maker that creates an Islamic setting, but can also be used by other (non) religious groups. Since khayamiya is not seen as sacred itself, it can be used for many purposes.
The lecture touches upon three themes, namely material culture and Islam, popular culture and piety, and living heritage.
This lecture is given by visual artist and textile researcher Christina de Korte. She learned how to make khayamiya in the Street of the Tentmakers in Cairo while carrying out research on the technique and the contemporary khayamiya usages before and during Ramadan.
- Date: Sunday, 22 March 2026. Moved to: Sunday, 19th of July 2026
- Time: 14.00 - 15.00 pm. Participants can visit the Khayamiya exhibition until 16.00.
- Venue: TRC Leiden, Boerhaavelaan 6, 2334 EN, Leiden.
- Lecturer: Christina de Korte.
- Language: Dutch
- Costs: 7.50 euros (to be paid on the day itself).
- Coffee/tea are provided.
Please register in advance: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
