MARYAM IS A TATREEZ ARTIST AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER BASED IN NYC (@MARYOOMAISTATREEZING). From her family’s village of Ein Yabroud in the Ramallah district to Venezuela to New York City, she shares how her early connection to Palestine came through political news on Al Jazeera before finding a more personal entry point through tatreez.
Maryam explains how tatreez became a grounding practice, helping her feel tethered to her roots in a way that politics alone could not. Her work is not only personal but also communal, as she actively uses tatreez to open conversations about Palestine and identity, especially within the diaspora.
Tatreez also unlocked an intimate archive at home. Maryam recalls how stitching prompted her Teta to share stories, memories, and experiences that she had never heard before — tales of village life, traditions, and resilience. Her story mirrors the larger role tatreez plays for Palestinians everywhere: it is a cultural practice that holds memory and grief while also creating beauty and continuity.
You’ll hear about:
>> 00:56: Maryam’s connection to Palestine
>> 05:24: The reason Maryam picked up the needle and thread
>> 13:11: Tatreez as activism in the ‘Student Intifada’
>> 25:45: Opening up conversations with Teta
>> 29:53: Teaching family & what Maryam is working on now
>> 35:33: The major life lesson from tatreez
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