It is no new to find a Ramadan lantern “Fanous” made of tin or wood, but it is definitely something new to find one made of palm leaves, proving that whoever made this is an artist with brilliant non-traditional ideas.
Sitting inside his small workshop in Minya, where in the middle lies a banner, some palm leaves, and tools, Yahia, who makes different items out of palm leaves, is writing on the banner words that describe him: “A Diamond in the Rough”, as he has been living among palm leaves and creating art for 40 years inside this place.
Yahia believes in his art, that’s why his working day starts from the crack of dawn until the evening, driven by his love for work, art, and the profession he inherited from his father 40 years ago, “since infancy, I’ve been watching my father practising this profession, that’s why I love it. I created my first lantern when I was six years old, then I started creating other things from palm leaves, such as chairs, tables, and baskets.”
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Yahia starts thinking about creating items out of palm leaves to celebrate the month. He decides to make a lantern, noting, “people prefer modern digital lanterns, and the Chinese lantern is the most popular among them.”
However, Yahia confirms that there are people who would prefer the palm leaves lantern, it only costs between 10 – 15 EGP, “they’re custom made, each customer would set their order however they like, yet demand is low compared to other modern devices.”
“My profession is a deliberate blend of art and engineering. Many are intrigued by this field because they are unfamiliar with palm leaves, which makes my creations, particularly the lantern, highly appreciated due to the numerous stages involved in its production,” added Yahia.
He then continues his talk about this profession, saying, “the first stage involves cutting the leaves into precise geometric shapes and measured cutting. Next, the leaves are perforated and interwoven without the use of adhesives. Finally, assembling the pieces, a process that demands intense concentration.”
Then Yahia adds, “only a few can work with palm leaves, it needs precision and practise and each stage has its own secrets, many can never see how beauty can come out of a few leaves.”
Yahia aspires to showcase his work at Arab exhibitions, allowing new generations to discover this craft, which holds as much significance as any renowned contemporary art form.
