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Impact Story Posted • 24 Jul 2024
Amal's 'Our stories through Nakshi Kantha’ project captured stories from generations of women who shared their journeys from Bangladesh to Birmingham via Kantha, a centuries’ old tradition of stitching. In the safe space of New Hope Global (NHG), a community-focused welfare organisation in the Aston area, 70 women learned to embroider and stitched their stories in a stunning book of memories, on a sari and in other pieces which were showcased at Aston Villa Football Club and elsewhere. Different participants told us what the project meant to them.
Rabia Choudhury learned about the project while attending various activities at NHG. One day she observed groups of women engaged in Kantha stitching and enjoying themselves. The sight of the stitching evoked in Rabia thoughts of her heritage, prompting her desire to participate in an activity that resonated with her culture. She started by embroidering her name on the sari. This gave her the confidence to embroider a picture of the Central Mosque, a building her father had contributed to constructing years before. Rabia also loved hearing the different stories the women were telling, the jokes they shared, and learning new skills.
"It is beautiful that we now have a space to socialise and learn new things about one another. Stitching the mosque brings back memories of stories that I have been told. I feel proud that I am able to stitch this. Holding on to our heritage is something I feel is really important. We should take time to embrace our heritage. It has made me and many of the participants think about our roots and where our parents worked hard to be part of the UK.”
Rabia Choudhury
Rahima Begum heard about NHG through her doctors’ surgery which told her about its activities. The one she was drawn to was sewing. She came in not knowing how to stitch and started off practicing different stitches by embroidering flowers. She was then more confident to start on a piece for the book. Having a space to go out to and enjoy herself, talking with the other women and learning new skills allowed her to build her confidence. She was glad to be able to learn a skill she could take back home with her and proud to see her work go on display.
“When stitching I feel like I don’t have any stress in the world. It allows me to block out negative feelings. The small kantha stitches have improved my concentration skills. It was also an opportunity to make friends. Listening to other people’s stories about their lives makes me happy. The atmosphere in the room is lively and positive. It makes a massive difference to my mental health. I look forward to Wednesday every week.”
Rahima Begum
Three artists, who shared the heritage of the participants, worked on the project including through drama and design. Over a year, textile-artist Abeda Begum taught them Nakshi Kantha, supported them to capture their stories through embroidery and curated their beautiful work in an exquisite and portable exhibition. Highly experienced in working in community settings, Abeda says that projects like this give people a voice to be heard, allowing them to express themselves through different art forms in a safe workspace. They also create opportunities for people to get together and build confidence, bringing joy to the community when they together achieve something beautiful, and pride in how this represents them. The project also enabled Abeda to develop her own skills.
"The level of confidence and growth is beyond describable. From when they first started to how they are now, they have totally transformed. It’s always rewarding to see their enjoyment and smiles, knowing they have achieved something they thought they couldn’t do. Together we can make a difference, and this is shown through what we have achieved on this project. For my part, I have learned to curate an exhibition. It was fantastic for me to have this opportunity to showcase an exhibition that represents my heritage, and I will forever be grateful."
Abeda Begum
NHG have found that offering creative activities to their communities engages members, fosters social connections and promotes personal development. By providing platforms for community members to share their stories, Amal has supported NHG to enable women to foster a sense of belonging and validation within the community. At the same time, showcasing the project has helped create more inclusive environments where Muslim voices are heard and respected. The women have learned new skills, creating artisans that promote arts and heritage to their own communities. The local Jobcentre plus believe the skills the women are learning will be useful in creating jobs and small businesses. The project has also been successful in supporting women to overcome or manage mental health issues, fostering friendships, alleviating feelings of isolation and promoting social engagement.
“This initiative has empowered these talented women to express their creativity and cultural heritage through the mesmerising and deeply symbolic art form of Nakshi Kantha. It has served as a platform for these exceptional women to explore and share their stories, experiences and heritage. It has been a journey of rediscovery and renaissance, breathing new life into a timeless tradition. Through collective efforts and unwavering dedication, we have succeeded in preserving and promoting the art of Nakshi Kantha embroidery for future generations to cherish. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing this"
New Hope Global
