How One Man In Egypt Is Keeping This 200-Year-Old Tile Tradition Alive | Still Standing
TLDRSaied Hussain, a craftsman in Egypt, is dedicated to preserving the 200-year-old tradition of handmade cement tiles, a craft that dates back to the 1800s. Despite competition from modern tile types, Saied remains committed to his art, which involves a meticulous process of mixing cement with pigments, using stencils for intricate designs, and a hydraulic press to solidify the tiles. Cement tiles were once popular in Europe and used extensively for rebuilding after World War I, but they fell out of favor by the mid-20th century. In Egypt, ceramic and marble tiles took over in the 1990s, but Saied has managed to adapt by creating new, affordable designs. His workshop, one of the few remaining, produces up to 150 tiles a day and offers free apprenticeships to keep the craft alive. Saied's passion for his work ensures that this traditional art form continues to stand the test of time.
Takeaways
- π The craft of handmade cement tiles in Egypt dates back to the 1800s when cement became a cheap and efficient building material.
- π¨ Saied Hussain views the making of cement tiles as an art form and has remained committed to this craft despite market competition.
- π΅ Saied began making tiles at the age of 12, and his process has remained largely unchanged over the years.
- π¨ Saied's expertise lies in working with colors, which he mixes into a fine powder of white cement to achieve the desired hue.
- π He uses stencils that are over 35 years old to pour each color into its own section, showing attention to detail.
- βοΈ Some tile designs are done freehand by Saied, demonstrating his artistic skill and creativity.
- ποΈ A mixture of sand, cement, and limestone is added on top of the colored cement to secure the pattern before pressing.
- π€ Saied learned his craft from his father, who worked at a shop owned by Greek immigrants, highlighting a lineage of tile-making tradition.
- π Cement tiles have a history in Europe as well, with factories emerging in the UK, France, and Belgium post-cement discovery.
- π Changing preferences in the European tile market and the rise of ceramic and marble tiles in Egypt in the 1990s challenged Saied's business.
- π° High material costs and physically demanding work have deterred new workers from entering the craft, leading to a decline in tile makers.
- π· Saied has managed to stay in business by creating new, cheaper designs and offering free apprenticeships to preserve the craft.
- πΌ His workshop, with two employees, can produce up to 150 tiles a day and sells 1 square meter for 500 Egyptian pounds (about $31).
- π Saied's primary goal is to keep the art of cement tile making alive for future generations.
Q & A
How long has the craft of making cement tiles been around in Egypt?
-The craft of making cement tiles has been around since the 1800s in Egypt.
What is Saied Hussain's relationship to the cement tile craft?
-Saied Hussain views the making of cement tiles not just as a trade, but as an art form and has been dedicated to it despite competition from other types of tiles.
What is the significance of Saied's stencils in his tile-making process?
-Saied's stencils have been with him for over 35 years and are used to pour each color into its own section, which is crucial for the precision and detail in his tile designs.
How does Saied ensure the pattern on the tiles stays in place during the making process?
-Saied ensures the pattern stays in place by topping off the mold with a mixture of sand, cement, and limestone before sending it through the hydraulic press.
From whom did Saied learn the craft of making cement tiles?
-Saied learned the craft from his father, who worked at a shop owned by Greek immigrants.
What are the origins of cement tiles in Europe?
-Cement tiles have roots in other parts of Europe, with factories starting to appear in countries like the UK and France during the 1800s, shortly after cement was discovered as a cheap and efficient building material.
Why did the cement tile industry flourish in Belgium after World War I?
-The cement tile industry flourished in Belgium after World War I because the country needed rebuilding and cement tiles were an affordable option.
What factors contributed to the decline of cement tiles in Europe by the mid-20th century?
-Changing tastes in Europe's tile market led to the decline of cement tiles by the mid-20th century.
What happened to the tile market in Egypt in the 1990s that affected Saied's business?
-In the 1990s, ceramic and marble tiles took over the market in Egypt, which shook up Saied's business.
How has Saied managed to stay in business despite the decline in demand for cement tiles?
-Saied managed to stay in business by creating new, cheaper designs that could compete with the newer types of tiles in the market.
How many tiles can Saied's team make in a day, and what is the price for 1 square meter of tiles?
-Saied's team can make up to 150 tiles in a day, and they sell 1 square meter of them for 500 Egyptian pounds, which is equivalent to $31.
What has Saied been doing to preserve the traditional process of making cement tiles?
-Saied has been offering free apprenticeships to young craftsmen for the past 40 years to keep the traditional process of making cement tiles alive.
Outlines
π¨ The Art of Handmade Cement Tiles in Egypt
This paragraph introduces the traditional craft of handmade cement tile production in Egypt, a practice that dates back to the 1800s when cement became an affordable and efficient construction material. Saied Hussain, a dedicated artisan, is highlighted for his unwavering commitment to this craft despite competition from other tile types. The paragraph details the artistry involved in Saied's work, from the meticulous sifting of white cement, mixing with pigments for the perfect color, to the careful application of water and the use of stencils for intricate designs. The importance of Saied's work is emphasized as he carries on a craft passed down from his father, who learned it from a shop owned by Greek immigrants. The narrative also touches on the historical significance of cement tiles in European countries like the UK, France, and Belgium, and discusses the challenges faced by Saied's business due to changing market preferences and the rise of ceramic and marble tiles in the 1990s. Despite these challenges, Saied has adapted by creating new, cost-effective designs and continues to produce up to 150 tiles a day with his small team, staying true to his trade.
π Preserving the Craft: Saied's Apprenticeship and Tile Sales
The second paragraph focuses on the economic and cultural aspects of Saied's tile-making business. It reveals that Saied and his employees sell their tiles at a rate of 500 Egyptian pounds, which is equivalent to $31, for 1 square meter to customers in Cairo. The paragraph emphasizes Saied's dedication to preserving the craft by offering free apprenticeships to young craftsmen for the past 40 years. This initiative underscores his commitment to passing on the traditional process to future generations. The narrator also notes that mastering the craft is not easy, suggesting the skill and expertise required. The most crucial aspect for Saied is the continuation of the art form, highlighting the cultural importance of the tiles and the craft itself.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Cement tiles
π‘Handmade
π‘Saied Hussain
π‘Workshop
π‘Craft
π‘Pigments
π‘Hydraulic press
π‘Traditional process
π‘Apprenticeships
π‘Ceramic and marble tiles
π‘Egyptian pounds
Highlights
Cement tiles are handmade in one of the few remaining workshops in Egypt.
The craft dates back to the 1800s when cement was an affordable building material.
Saied Hussain views the creation of cement tiles as an art form.
Despite competition from other tile types, Saied remains committed to his craft.
Saied has been crafting tiles since he was 12, with a process that has changed little over time.
The tile-making process begins with sifting white cement into a fine powder.
Saied specializes in working with colors, adding pigments to the cement powder.
Each color is poured into its own section using stencils that Saied has used for over 35 years.
Saied works meticulously to manage the finer details of the tile designs.
Some tile designs are done freehand by Saied.
A mixture of sand, cement, and limestone is added to the mold to secure the pattern.
The hydraulic press is used to solidify the cement in seconds.
Saied learned his craft from his father, who worked at a shop owned by Greek immigrants.
Cement tiles have a history in Europe, with factories emerging in the UK and France during the 1800s.
Belgium's industry grew post-WWI when cement tiles were an economic rebuilding solution.
Changing preferences in Europe led to a decline in cement tiles by the mid-20th century.
In the 1990s, ceramic and marble tiles dominated the Egyptian market, affecting Saied's business.
The high cost of materials and physical labor have deterred workers from the craft.
Saied adapted by creating new, cost-effective designs to stay in business.
His team, one of the last tile-making teams, can produce up to 150 tiles a day.
Tiles are sold for 500 Egyptian pounds ($31) per square meter in Cairo.
Saied has offered free apprenticeships for 40 years to preserve the traditional tile-making process.
Mastering the art of tile-making is not easy, according to Saied.
The most important aspect for Saied is the continuation of the tile-making art.