textiles
Kishuthara (Silk)
Our silk product come mainly from Eastern Bhutan, a region that has been known for centuries for its extremely intricate style of weaving silk, called Kishuthara, using back strap looms.
Weaving on these looms is a labour-intensive task, demanding immense dedication from the artisans who spend long hours seated on the floor, tightening a leather strap to their back to engage the loom’s mechanism. This physically strenuous process requires unwavering focus, with weavers dedicating an average of 6 to 9 hours per day to their art.
The meticulous nature of silk weaving is evident in the time invested in creating each piece. From a small table cover that demands a month of daily work to larger masterpieces that may take an entire year to complete, every creation is a labour of love. Beyond the physical and time commitments, silk weaving necessitates a keen eye for detail, especially when handling delicate silk yarns.
The raw materials are the main overhead for the weavers, as they need to dedicate a big chunk of their income to buy the silk yarns and the raw materials needed to dye the yarns. Most of them find themselves having to sell their ready products before they can invest in more raw materials.
Eastern Bhutan is not only known for the exceptional quality of handwoven silk but also for the intricate patterns that grace these creations. Legend has it that these patterns originated from a chance encounter with a Tibetan master and trader named Tsongpay Nobu Zangpo, whose adorned sack inspired the local witty village women to copy the patterns while he was sleeping at night, and pass down these designs through generations.
The woven textiles are used to make traditional costumes for woman and men. The ladies’ version is called “Kira” while the men’s version is called “gho”. However, in the recent years, people started using the woven textiles to make modern clothes, including skirts, dresses and blazers.
Yathra (Wool)
Yathra is another weaving style unique to Bhutan, and specifically Central Bhutan. It refers to thick woollen fabrics, hand-spun, hand-dyed and hand-woven in Central Bhutan, and surrounding regions, which is an area known for its extreme low temperatures during winter.
Traditionally, artisans in relied on locally sourced raw wool from yaks and sheep to produce Yathra. However, due to the increase in demand, and the decline in husbandry farming throughout the region, some weavers use imported raw wool, notably from regions such as Ladakh in India.
While the preference for using organic materials like tree leaves and bark to naturally dye the wool remains strong among most weavers, the practicality and affordability constraints have led some to opt for commercially dyed processed wool, often sourced from India. This shift signifies a delicate balance between preserving traditional practices and adapting to modern challenges within the craft.
Whatever the origins of the wool and the dye are, all fabrics are weaved on traditiona locally made wooden four pedal looms, that were imported from the Tibetan Plateau in the late 1800s.
Originally utilized for crafting winter garments, pillow covers, and bed covers, Yathra has evolved to incorporate Western-inspired items like dining and table covers, bed runners, and table runners.
In a world of mass production and passing trends, Yathra weaving stands as a timeless ode to heritage, a tender reminder of the beauty that unfolds when tradition and craftsmanship converge.
Each piece, a testament to the artisan's skill and creativity, and as all handmade artifacts, is one of its kind as unique as a fingerprint, and virtually impossible to replicate, no matter how hard the artisan tries.