Olive Wood Carving in Bethlehem: Art Passed Through Generations

Olive Wood Carvings Telling the Story of Bethlehem

Olive wood carving is one of the oldest traditional professions in Bethlehem and Palestine, dating back to the 15th century. It began with crafting prayer beads from olive pits, but, over time, as the craft evolved, artisans turned to using the wood of olive trees, particularly from weak or non-fruit-bearing branches.

What attracted the artisans to use olive wood as material for their cradts is the fact that it distinguished by its remarkable strength, durability, and the rich gradation of its hues, which lend a distinctive and beauty to the crafted pieces.

As olive wood carving gained high popularity in the Holy Land, the cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem had stood as the epicenters of this cherished tradition, creating intricate works that often depict religious scenes from the Holy Land. These include iconic figures and symbols such as nativity scenes, wooden cross pendants, rosaries, crucifixes, and wooden busts of Jesus and the Holy Family.

Near Manger Square, a shop welcomes visitors into a space steeped in history. The fragrance of the past fills the air, while its walls and floors reflect Palestinian heritage. Inside, the wooden sculptures are beautifully and meticulously arranged. Established in the early 1980s, the shop became a family legacy when the son joined his father in the business. Since then, a deep passion and love for this craft have been nurtured, symbolizing the enduring presence of the Palestinian people in the Holy Land.

Crafting Olive Wood Nativity Scenes and More

It is explained that the advent of electricity and the proliferation of machinery significantly advanced the art of olive wood carving. Factories in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala produce a wide array of items, including wooden utensils, statues, camels, and more. Modern machinery has reduced the time and labor involved while allowing for larger-scale production.

Categories of Wood Carvings

Olive wood products are classified into three categories:

1. Commercial Crafts: These pieces are simple and lack detailed features, making them the least expensive and least creative.
2. Intermediate Crafts: These pieces exhibit more defined details and are of higher quality than the commercial grade.
3. Artistic Crafts: The finest and most expensive category, these pieces showcase details and depend heavily on the artist's skill and expertise with the carving tools.

Tourist Preferences
The most popular item among tourists is the "Holy Family" sculpture, depicting Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. French visitors favor this piece, while American and British tourists prefer nativity scenes. If permitted to enter, Arab tourists would likely also choose the Holy Family sculpture.