Wool production in India Although a large user of wool, India is not an important producer; it accounts for less than 2% of the world’s wool production. China and Australia, two of the largest producers, together account for about 45% of global production. India’s yearly production is around 33-35 million
What are Natural Dyes? These are colours obtained from natural sources, such as plants, animals and microorganisms. In the past, they were they were the only sources of colouring fabric and other articles. As synthetic dyes began to be produced on an industrial scale in the 19th century, they replaced
A Bhotia woman knitting in Bagori village near Harsil. I took this photo with a film camera (before digital) in 2004. It was around this time that I developed an interest in the Bhotia people and their traditional wool dyeing and weaving practices.https://himalayanweavers.org/bhotiyas-and-himalayan-wool/ This was the beginning of Himalayan Weavers.
What is pashmina Pashmina is the undercoat of goats found in some of the world’s harshest climates. The winter temperature in these places can be as low as -35 centigrade. In order to survive these extremely low temperatures the goats develop a very fine undercoat. This undercoat or fibre is
Many Himalayan communities have a tradition of working with wool. Most of them are pastoralists who keep large herds of animals, especially sheep. While their dependence on animals for subsistence has diminished in recent years, wool and its products such as shawls, throws and carpets are still an important source
Some time ago I visited Changthang region of Ladakh which produces some of the best pashmina in the world. I spent some time in Korzok village which is one of the largest pashmina producing village in Ladakh. Situated at a height of about 5000 meters, the village is winter home
