I was intrigued to find Bhutanese yathra-style jackets for sale in Kathmandu. Enquiring of the shopkeeper, I was told that they are woven further out in the Kathmandu valley by ethnic Nepalis, not Bhutanese immigrants.
Continue reading
Looking at this photo in Yeewong magazine of Bhutan’s royal couple meeting with the Indian PM, Jetsun Pema’s kira seemed very familiar.
I have recently enjoyed a rather clear video of kushutara weaving posted on YouTube:
It’s nice to see a close-up video of a weaver working relatively slowly. Continue reading
I forgot to photograph the kushutara designs I wove during my time in Thimphu before I packed them up to mail to Australia, but here are a couple of sections that had been photographed on the loom.
I had the opportunity to accompany Active Travel’s Textile Tour group for a few days. South of Trongsa, we visited the Tarayana Foundation’s unique project that has revived the art of weaving cloth from the bark of stinging nettles. Continue reading
As I travelled to Phobjika in November, the cold weather was prompting the wearing of Yathra garments. Continue reading
Recently the King of Bhutan married his bride, Jetsun Pema. Watching the ceremony taking place in Punakha, I heard Bhutanese wondering why the King was wearing floral brocade rather than one of his many handsome aikapur ghos, which they considered more typically Bhutanese. Continue reading
Kushutara pieces are expensive because they are so labour intensive, so I have purchased only one large piece. The remainder of my “collection” is in the more affordable form of the photographs on the other pages of this website. Continue reading
Along with mathra, Sethra is a very popular plaid associated with Central Bhutan. Continue reading
The addition of sapma motifs to sethra or mathra woven for a woman’s kira is a more recent innovation and designated “pesar” or “new design.” Continue reading
