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Bhutan Textile Industry |
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Bhutan Information |
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Weaving empowers women
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Tarayana Foundation established centre provides a source of additional income
A group of women in Dorokha, Samtse, who've never woven textile, are now earning a living, or supplementing their husband's income, by doing so.
Thirty-year-old Ninzam spends eight hours each day weaving tablecloths and stoles inside a structure made of stone and mud, with six other women.The weaves are sold in Thimphu.
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The centre was established at Lhotu-Kuchu Jigme, under Dophuchen geowog, Dorokha by the Tarayana Foundation in 2010.It was initiated to help women generate income on their own. Lhotu-Kuchu Jigme is about four hours drive from Samtse town. Each day, the women do their household chores and are at the centre by 9am.At lunch, they go back home, and continue after lunch till 5pm. With the new job, the women not only keep house but also bring in cash. |
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"We can buy essentials like oil, rice, salt and vegetables, with our earnings," Ninzam said. "It also helps in my two children's education."
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Apart from that, the weavers said, the skills they acquired were developing. Initially, the women wove plain cloths. The latest weaves have silk motifs.
Penden Lham, 24, who looks after her single mother, said she realised designing is difficult but, without it, the weaves were less attractive. "The weavers are working on improving their skills and weaves, so it fares better in the market," she said.
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Those with patterns are expected to bring in better income to the women.The plain ones were sold at Nu 150 a piece.One full length weave takes over a week to complete, from which about four tablecloths are cut.
In a month, the women send to Thimphu about 100 pieces.
Soon, the weavers will also be weaving kira on the Mechay-type loom, which has already been installed in the centre.An essential part 'tama' of the loom is missing currently.
Three women have already been trained in using the loom. But others are interested to learn too.
The Tarayana field officer, Namgay, said they have received order of school dresses for 509 students in Sengdhyen lower secondary school for next year.
"The work is yet to begin, because we don't have a tama," he said. "We're trying to get one from Assam."
Namgay said others in the village have been informed that they can join the centre any time. "We expect more weavers," he said. "Some have already agreed to join after the festival on September 19."
Initially, when the centre started, there were 17 women, of whom 10 left.
"Most of them left because their husband don't want them to work," Namgay said. "Some left to get married."
"While the others left, those of us, who remained, weren't discouraged," a weaver said. "We couldn't let the opportunity go, when we were given free materials to do something with."
"Most left for marriage, while few left because they thought they'd earn more doing something else," she said. "A few felt the centre was far, since it was about an hour's walk from their village."
"Our idea is to give an extra push to the youth as they have the talents but no platform to show it and most of the parents are sceptical about it," he said.
Another parent of a 14-year old participant Pyem Yangkee said fashion maybe the next big thing in future. "I let my daughter participate and this project groomed her in public speaking, facing camera and body language," she said.
"The project has helped me rediscover myself," participant Dawa Dorji, 25, said.
"We'll be using these participants as models for my magazine, Bhutan street fashion and also for an upcoming movie where they'll be paid," Chief editor of Bhutan timeout magazine Sonam Maekay Penjor said.
The opposition leader, Tshering Tobgay, who attended the show advised the participants to not only be a model but a role model for others by working hard.
Bhutan youth foundation volunteered to help project Bhutan to set up the YDF hall for the show, sold the tickets and cleaned up after the show. The founder T B Rana had also taken a session with the participants on mind power.
Cafe Klien also supported the project by providing free food for the participants and the owner Kinley Klien was a guest lecturer on dining etiquette.
| This article was contributed by Yangchen C Rinzin, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2012 |
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