The Looms That Refused to Die: How Nablus Brought the Kuffiyeh Back

In 1987, a factory in the heart of Nablus went silent. The looms stopped. The threads went still. The occupation had won — or so it seemed. For 36 years, master weaver Marwan Nabulsi, known to everyone as Abu Bassam, watched his life's work sit dormant. The factory he built in 1950 — the one his hands had poured everything into — was closed. But the story wasn't over.

 The Beginning
Abu Bassam didn't just build a factory. He built a legacy. In 1950, when Nablus was the heartbeat of Palestinian commerce, he established a textile factory dedicated to weaving the kuffiyeh — the most iconic symbol of Palestinian identity. For nearly four decades, his looms ran day and night, weaving the black and white patterns that would become recognized across the world.

The Silence
When the First Intifada broke out in 1987, everything changed. The occupation made it nearly impossible to import materials, export products, or run a business. One by one, Palestinian factories closed. Abu Bassam's factory was one of them. The looms fell silent. For 36 years.

The Revival
Then 2023 happened. In an act of pure resilience, the Nabulsi Textile Factory reopened. The original looms — the same ones Abu Bassam built his legacy on — began weaving again. Operated by skilled artisans carrying the same knowledge passed down through generations. The kuffiyeh was back. Made in Nablus. Made in Palestine.

Why This Matters
Today Hala Palestine is proud to be one of only two stores partnered directly with the Nabulsi Textile Factory. When you buy a kuffiyeh from us, your money goes directly to the workers in that factory — the people keeping Abu Bassam's dream alive. Every thread you wear carries 75 years of history, resistance, and love.

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