In Arts & Crafts, Bhutan| Updated: August 13, 2013 1:57 pm
Textiles were woven almost exclusively by women. They are made of silk, cotton and wool yarns and can be plain or highly decorated. After a long hand-made vegetal dying process, or the purchase of ready-made threads, they are woven on back strap looms or on pedal looms. The most spectacular weave called Kishuthara includes the brocade technique.
Each pattern and color combination has a specific name and the motives have symbolic meanings. The best weavers came from the East and North-east of the country. They wove, in their spare time, for their family and to pay the textile tax. Nowadays, in urban centres, women have taken up weaving as a profession as there is a market and some men have joined them. The Textile Museum and academy in Thimphu is raising the profile of Bhutanese textiles and is a great encouragement for the weavers
Textiles (thagzo)
Textiles were woven almost exclusively by women. They are made of silk, cotton and wool yarns and can be plain or highly decorated. After a long hand-made vegetal dying process, or the purchase of ready-made threads, they are woven on back strap looms or on pedal looms. The most spectacular weave called Kishuthara includes the brocade technique.
Each pattern and color combination has a specific name and the motives have symbolic meanings. The best weavers came from the East and North-east of the country. They wove, in their spare time, for their family and to pay the textile tax. Nowadays, in urban centres, women have taken up weaving as a profession as there is a market and some men have joined them. The Textile Museum and academy in Thimphu is raising the profile of Bhutanese textiles and is a great encouragement for the weavers