Lebanon's last tarboosh maker keeps tradition alive
With a thimble on his finger, Shaar cuts, sews, and assembles the iconic conical, flat-topped hats made of felt, carefully adding the signature tassel. Considered Lebanon's last known tarboosh maker, he learned the craft from his family and further honed his skills in Egypt.
"Our family has been carrying on this craft for 125 years," he said.
From daily wear to cultural symbol
The tarboosh, once a daily fashion staple during the Ottoman era, was a symbol of pride, status, and even subtle courtship. "It used to have great value—part of day-to-day dress," Shaar explained, adding that people now mostly wear it for traditional events or buy it as a souvenir.
Some of his handmade hats feature embroidered floral motifs or Lebanon's national cedar tree emblem.
The decline in demand
Due to Lebanon's ongoing crises—including the 2020 Beirut port explosion and recent regional conflicts—tourism has dwindled, and so has Shaar's customer base.
Before the crisis, he sold around 50 hats per month. Now, he's down to just four or five, mostly to cultural dance troupes or religious figures.
A one-man operation with a passion
Once employing three assistants, Shaar now works alone, selling each handmade tarboosh for about $30. Despite declining demand, he remains committed.
"I feel like my soul is linked to this craft. I don't want to shut or to stop working," he said, determined to preserve a unique piece of Lebanese cultural heritage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Web Release
a day ago
- Web Release
AUB's School of Business Hosts Regional Workshop to Support Startups and Sustainable Innovation in the Natural Products Industry
The Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), through its Business Practice and Policy Initiative, hosted a two-day regional workshop titled 'Supporting Innovative and Regenerative Startups: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Natural Products Industry.' Held in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut; the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO); and the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO, the workshop brought together youth-led startups, entrepreneurs, and experts from across the Arab region to exchange knowledge, promote sustainable business models, and advance innovation in the natural products sector. The workshop focused on showcasing innovative ideas within the regional startup ecosystem, encouraging sustainability practices in business, and aligning projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 'Quality Education' and 'Responsible Consumption and Production.' It also aimed to strengthen participants' ability to scale their ventures while promoting green education, and fostering meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, industry, funding bodies, and policymakers. The workshop further examined potential policy reforms to enhance the productivity and growth of small enterprises in Lebanon and the region. The opening session featured remarks by Raghda Kawass, knowledge and public policy specialist at the Business Practice and Policy Initiative at OSB, who stressed the importance of youth investment and evidence-based policymaking. Professor Yusuf Sidani, OSB dean, highlighted the school's role in developing entrepreneurs who value long-term purpose over short-term profit. Ramza Jaber Saad, director general of the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO, called for urgent support for youth entrepreneurship, emphasizing the value of partnerships and inclusive growth. Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, director of science and scientific research at ALECSO, addressed the role of startups in balancing economic and environmental goals, while Dr. Maysoun Chehab, senior education program specialist at UNESCO, and Assem Abi Ali, national education programme coordinator at UNESCO emphasized the power of education and innovation in shaping future green entrepreneurs. Participants included regional experts from Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Tunisia, as well as twelve Lebanese entrepreneurs in the natural products sector. They engaged in interactive sessions led by faculty members from across the university as well as the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business. Dr. Bijan Azad, director of the Darwazah Center for Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at AUB, shared insights on startup growth, while Dr. Nada Khaddaj-Sobh, director of the Center for Women in Business at AUB, provided training on pitching and public communication. Dr. Marwan Wahbi, senior lecturer at AUB, addressed digital marketing strategies, and AUB's Environment and Sustainability Unit led sessions on clean production and green marketing. The workshop also featured contributions from key regional stakeholders and incubators. The Talal and Madiha Zein AUB-Innovation Park (AUB iPark) discussed startup financing tools. Guest speakers—including entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders such as Tunisia's Zubair Yahya, Jordan's Nidal Bitar, Lebanon's Suleiman Barda, and Kuwait's Dr. Ihab Khalid Maqableh—explored funding models, market access, and innovation empowerment. This two-day event marked a significant step toward building a more resilient and innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lebanon and the Arab region. By uniting academia, startups, and policy actors, the workshop helped lay the foundation for sustained collaboration and youth-led solutions to regional development challenges.
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Banias Pipeline back on the table in Iraq-Syria energy talks
Formation of joint committee The two sides decided to establish a joint committee to inspect the condition of the pipeline and evaluate the feasibility of resuming operations. They also proposed involving an international consultant to assess the pipeline's operational readiness, pumping systems, and overall rehabilitation requirements. Expanding Iraq's export routes According to a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, reported by the Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sawad highlighted Iraq's progress in gas investment and refining. He said Iraq aims to enhance export capacities through southern ports, resume exports via the Turkish pipeline to the port of Ceyhan, and consider proposals to utilize the Syrian Banias and Lebanese Tripoli pipelines. Basra–Haditha pipeline project Al-Sawad also discussed the Basra–Haditha pipeline project, which is expected to handle 2.25 million barrels. This pipeline will help ensure stable export volumes, potentially using the Syrian route as one of its outlets.
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Lebanon's last tarboosh maker keeps tradition alive
Mastering a fading craft With a thimble on his finger, Shaar cuts, sews, and assembles the iconic conical, flat-topped hats made of felt, carefully adding the signature tassel. Considered Lebanon's last known tarboosh maker, he learned the craft from his family and further honed his skills in Egypt. "Our family has been carrying on this craft for 125 years," he said. From daily wear to cultural symbol The tarboosh, once a daily fashion staple during the Ottoman era, was a symbol of pride, status, and even subtle courtship. "It used to have great value—part of day-to-day dress," Shaar explained, adding that people now mostly wear it for traditional events or buy it as a souvenir. Some of his handmade hats feature embroidered floral motifs or Lebanon's national cedar tree emblem. The decline in demand Due to Lebanon's ongoing crises—including the 2020 Beirut port explosion and recent regional conflicts—tourism has dwindled, and so has Shaar's customer base. Before the crisis, he sold around 50 hats per month. Now, he's down to just four or five, mostly to cultural dance troupes or religious figures. A one-man operation with a passion Once employing three assistants, Shaar now works alone, selling each handmade tarboosh for about $30. Despite declining demand, he remains committed. "I feel like my soul is linked to this craft. I don't want to shut or to stop working," he said, determined to preserve a unique piece of Lebanese cultural heritage.
