Silver (fada in Arabic) was the most valuable possesion of Siwan woman and girls. Traditionally, each piece had its place, use and function when it was worn and  well-off women could wear upto five kilograms of silver jewelery, on special ocassions. Siwan, and North African silverwork is known for its sophisticated designs and the patterns used, often incorporate traditional symbols such as stars, flowers, and geometric shapes. These designs have been passed down through generations and are an important part of the local culture.

Unfortunatley, modernization soon made place for golden jewelery and many women sold their silver, leading almost to its complete disapearance.  Today there is only one active silversmith in the entire oasis of Siwa, who has made it her life mission keep this craft alive. She now wants to pass down her skills and knowledge to future generations teaching other girls the craft. For the first time, workshops are open for visitors, making this workshop a unique opportunity to discover this valuable tradition.