In the heart of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2023, Palestinian craftsman Sunail Abu Shawish continues to preserve a vital element of cultural heritage. Working out of a modest, makeshift workshop cluttered with fragments of damaged instruments and humanitarian aid crates, Abu Shawish repairs traditional ouds, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, often scarred by the violence surrounding him.

At 60 years old, Abu Shawish has become a central figure in the local effort to maintain the region's musical traditions despite the hardships of war. Displaced temporarily to the southern city of Rafah during heightened conflict, he has since returned to his home in Nuseirat, where he operates under challenging conditions marked by scarce materials, frequent power outages, and a lack of proper tools.

Using mainly hand tools, Abu Shawish meticulously restores instruments bearing the marks of shelling and destruction. Wood traditionally used in oud-making has become scarce due to import restrictions and supply shortages, prompting him to adapt by repurposing discarded wooden crates from food aid shipments and salvaging parts from irreparably damaged instruments. His workshop, though rudimentary, is filled with repaired ouds hanging on the walls, serving as symbols of resilience amid destruction.

“Young people have started sending their instruments to me for repair,” Abu Shawish said, highlighting the growing demand for his services within the community. For him, the work transcends mere craftsmanship; it is a mission to protect and sustain a key aspect of Palestinian cultural identity during a period marked by loss and disruption.

Abu Shawish learned to play the oud in the 1980s and has since gained expertise in conserving and restoring musical instruments through his work with various institutions. Despite limited resources and the impact of war-related displacement, he remains committed to his craft. "Despite the hardship of war, we continue to work," he said.

His customers, many of whom are musicians hoping to revive the distinctive sound of the oud, rely on his skill to breathe new life into damaged instruments. Abu Shawish views each successful restoration as a small but meaningful victory against the backdrop of conflict and devastation that has reshaped life in Gaza.

As the conflict continues, the determination of craftsmen like Abu Shawish underscores a broader effort to preserve cultural heritage and identity in a region marked by ongoing instability and hardship.