The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Iraq Al-Amir Women Cooperative Society

Experience traditional crafts like weaving, paper making, and cooking in a historic village with rich cultural heritage and stunning Ottoman architecture.

OUR EXPERIENCES
The Iraq Al Amir Women’s Cooperative was established in an area rich with historical sites. Today the women share special skills with travelers like traditional weaving, paper making, ceramics, and cooking. In an area that dates back to the Bronze Age with Greek and Ottoman influences, the Cooperative is housed in restored Ottoman era houses that are the last of their kind in the village. Paper making: Learn the basics of papermaking using natural, local materials and the traditional techniques of the craftswomen of Iraq al Amir. Paper production in this region uses limited water resources, and can be manipulated by adding vivid colors, textures, and patterns using local plants, herbs, and spices. Participants will experiment with fallen palm leaves, grass, flowers, sumac, red henna, saffron, rose leaves, paprika, tea and local coffee. The paper is tactile, and smells beautifully of the herbs and spices used, evoking the spirit of the charming village of and its people. Children ages 5+ can participate at the discretion of their parents. Cooking Class: learn to cook delicious traditional Arabic dishes from the local women of Iraq Al Amir. Choose from a variety of iconic dishes such as musakhan (chicken with onions and sumac) and magloubet Zahra (‘upside down’ rice and chicken with cauliflower), or make a special request. Children ages 10+ can participate.

ABOUT US
The Iraq Al Amir women’s cooperative Association was founded by the Noor Al-Hussein Foundation over two decades ago. It aimed to make the women financially independent and to raise their standard of living by increasing their income and preserving local heritage. The cooperation exists to keep their culture alive, protect the environment, and to provide meaningful employment for local women in the village. The workshop is organized into three domains; handmade paper production, pottery, and a hand weaving mill with three handlooms.

OUR IMPACT
In 2018, Jordan Tourism Board partnered with Tourism Cares on a Meaningful Travel Map as part of the Tourism Cares with Jordan Meaningful Travel Summit. The 12 pins on the Jordan Map represent social enterprises and community tourism experiences around the country, developed in partnership with Baraka Destinations. The Map was designed to diffuse the economic benefits of tourism to smaller communities and support sustainable tourism growth.

The interactive map of Jordan can be found on the website: https://www.myjordanjourney.com/experience-meaningful-travel

DETAILS
What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
Capacity varies per activity from 5-20, capacity is higher for meals.

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