Textile Acquisition from the Weaving Communities
With the support from Geiger Family Foundation based in the USA, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan went to three communities which are most famed in weaving and producing the reputed textiles in the country. The three places are Khoma community in Lhuentse Dzongkhag, Radi community in Trashigang Dzongkhag, and Chumey in Bumthang Dzongkhag.
Khoma is known for producing hand woven textiles called the Kushuthara, the most intricate and exquisite Kiras. Radhi is famed for weaving Bura Gho and Kira. They locally and organically do yarn dying. Bumthang is known for weaving Yathra, textiles woven from wool. These three communities are most popular weaving communities which they depend their livelihood on.
However, there was a story on Kuensel about weavers not able to sell their products. This was a direct threat to the weavers as well the culture of weaving. For this, the RTA intervened to help weavers market their weaving products.
The 8 days tour to these places included three staff from RTA; Deputy Director, Finance Officer and Asst. Communications Officer. The eight days tour included 2 days at Khoma, 1 day at Radhi, 2 days in Bumthang, and a total of three days travel.
During the tour, 96 textiles were acquired from the weavers of these communities.
Karma, 68, a weaver from Radhi said, ‘Even if we are able to weave a good number of products, we have the greatest challenge of not being able to sell. It used to take us a long time to sell our products. We are very thankful to RTA for purchasing our products.’
Sither Lhamo from Khoma shared, ‘I am 85 and I should be chanting mantras. But I have an ailing daughter to support. Weaving is the only income for us. I have been weaving since 15. Now, due to my failing eyesight, I am only able to weave table runners. My potential customers are mainly tourists. Tourists also come rarely. There was no other way for me to sell my products. This has come as a great help and relief as I was able to sell all my products (4).’
Similarly, the weavers expressed their gratitude and anticipation for similar support in the coming years too.
