RIYADH: Women in the Kingdom’s Najran region are mastering the crafting of wicker products as part of a program organized by the Herfah Institute and the Lar Association for Productive Families, which takes place until Aug. 27. The Herfah Institute specializes in teaching handicrafts and the program has helped 15 women from the comprehensive rehabilitation center, beneficiaries of the association, and several others interested in design and embroidery. The initiative helps to contribute to preserving the wicker industry as part of the Kingdom’s national heritage, and looks to develop it to be a vital part of the local culture and economy. Teacher Masouma Al-Hamdan said the program seeks to train craftswomen in all aspects of the wicker industry. It aims to teach them how to collect the basic materials, the methods of cleaning and drying them to remove impurities, and then dyeing them in different colors. It also teaches them the weaving process which arranges the fibers in a certain way to produce the required shapes, forming various products such as baskets, bags and other household items and decorative tools. Al-Hamdan said the wicker industry was one of the traditional professions in the Kingdom and played an important role in the local culture and economy. The aim is to preserve, document and transfer this legacy from generation to generation, by supporting the industry and training more craftsmen and women in the various handicrafts that make up a big part of the Kingdom’s culture. Advice and guidance is provided to craftswomen and designers in the wicker industry to help to implement production and craft projects, as well as identifying funding bodies to support production. The wicker industry in the Najran region is a heritage craft practiced by residents since ancient times. It uses the fronds of palm trees that proliferate in the area and wicker fibers to produce various traditional products. These include high-quality and durable goods such as carpets, baskets, furniture, bags and clothing. In recent years handicrafts have garnered attention from the leadership, which has supported their development. The wicker industry is now advancing at technical and marketing levels as it embodies the tradition, culture and creativity of the Kingdom’s artisans.