Samaher Romi

Beit Al Dameh

Samaher Romi

Beit Al Dameh is a community space in Zababdeh, Jenin, where children and families come together to play traditional Palestinian games. Samaher researches, documents, redesigns, and makes games such as dameh, sijeh, marbles, and mancala, then brings them into workshops and everyday community life.

As these games become less familiar to younger generations, the knowledge held by those who played them risks being lost. At Beit Al Dameh, children learn directly from parents, neighbours, and older people who share the rules, memories, and stories behind each game. It gives families a place to spend time together while keeping Palestinian heritage in use. Libraries have expressed interest in creating similar spaces, and Samaher hopes to bring this approach to more communities.