Palestinian Repairs – Areej Ashhab et al.

Palestinian communities are engaged in ongoing efforts to repair and maintain infrastructure and traditional building practices, adapting to environmental challenges and preserving cultural heritage. These efforts span from soil conservation to the revival of ancient building techniques and securing food supplies.

Soil and Land Management

Soil types across Palestine vary significantly, impacting agricultural practices and land use. Areas on the Eastern Slopes Zone, between the Central Highlands and the Jordan Valley, experience accelerated soil erosion due to high temperatures and low rainfall. Soils in these regions range from semi-desert types to terra rossa and mountain marls, primarily used for grazing sheep and goats.^{1, 2} Rural Palestinian villages have historically played a crucial role in sustaining urban centers and producing local goods.³

Traditional Building Materials and Techniques

“Jerusalem stone,” a pale limestone, dolomite, and dolomitic limestone quarried around Jerusalem, has long been a primary building material in Palestinian architecture, particularly in the Central Mountain region. While its structural use has declined in favor of cladding or facing due to modern construction methods, it remains symbolically important.⁴ Geological windows – exposed cuts revealing underlying geological layers – provide insights into the region’s geological composition.⁵

Preserving Agricultural Heritage

The term “Khabba’a خبّأ” refers to a traditional method or structure, as defined in the Lisan Al-Arab.⁶ Wheat cultivation holds a significant place in Palestinian agricultural history.⁷ Concerns about wheat supplies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have been raised, particularly in the context of global events like the war in Ukraine.⁸

Community-Based Initiatives

Recent initiatives, such as the “Of Mud and Iron: An Educational Exhibition on Palestinian Urbanism” involved a group of individuals including Amal Hajjaj, Basel Nasir, Batoul Harb, Dala Nobani, Dalya Yasin, Lana Judeh (curator), Layla Taher, Leyan Aruri, Tawba Alshaikh-Qasem (assistant curator), and Zena Nidal, supported by Sakiya and the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center.⁹ Collaborative projects like Between Lime and Clay, led by Areej Ashhab and Raghad Saqfalhait, have included workshops, a symposium, an exhibition, and film production.¹⁰ Discussions with farmers in Ein Qiniya have highlighted ongoing wheat cultivation practices.¹¹ Insights into traditional construction techniques, such as khabiyeh construction, have been gathered through discussions with experts in Al-Jib.¹² The chemistry involved in pottery production is also a key aspect of understanding these traditional methods.¹³

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