How One Of The Last Fez Makers In Cairo Keeps A 600-Year-Old Tradition Alive | Still Standing
Business Insider・2 minutes read
Nasser Abdul Bassett, a skilled fez maker in Cairo, carries on his family's 130-year-old tradition of creating custom fez hats with unique designs, despite bans and decline in popularity, to preserve the craft and legacy of this once-symbolic headwear.
Insights
- Fez hats crafted by Nasser Abdul Bassett are steeped in tradition, with each hat representing a specific profession through colored tassels and unique molds named after Ottoman rulers, showcasing a rich history of craftsmanship and cultural significance.
- Despite facing bans and declining popularity due to modernization efforts, Nasser Abdul Bassett and his son remain dedicated to preserving the art of fez making, embodying a commitment to heritage and tradition in the face of changing times.
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Recent questions
What is a fez hat?
A fez hat is a traditional headwear made using woven straw bases, copper molds, silk linings, and colored tassels to represent different professions.
Why did Egypt ban the fez hat?
Egypt banned the fez hat in the 1950s under President Jamal Abdel Nasser due to modernization efforts and political reasons.
Who is Nasser Abdul Bassett?
Nasser Abdul Bassett is a fez maker in Cairo who continues his 130-year-old business of custom-making fez hats.
What is the significance of colored tassels on fez hats?
Colored tassels on fez hats signify different professions, with each fez having its unique mold named after Ottoman rulers.
How has the popularity of fez hats changed over time?
Fez hats, once a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, faced bans and modernization efforts in various countries, leading to a decline in popularity. However, Nasser Abdul Bassett and his son continue to craft these traditional hats, preserving a fading craft and legacy.
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Summary
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Preserving Cairo's Fez-Making Legacy
- Nasser Abdul Bassett, one of the last fez makers in Cairo, continues his 130-year-old business by custom-making fez hats using woven straw bases, copper molds, silk linings, and colored tassels to signify different professions, with each fez having its unique mold named after Ottoman rulers.
- The fez, once a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, faced bans and modernization efforts in various countries, with Egypt banning it in the 1950s under President Jamal Abdel Nasser, leading to its decline in popularity, but Nasser and his son persist in crafting these traditional hats, preserving a fading craft and legacy.
