History of Handlooms:
Traditional handlooms have a rich and ancient history that can be traced back to various civilizations and cultures around the world. The roots of traditional handloom can be found in the following civilizations and cultures:
Ancient India: The Indian subcontinent has a long tradition of handloom weaving, with evidence of cotton fabrics being woven as early as 5000 BCE. The country has a diverse range of handloom traditions, including the famous silk handlooms of Benares, the cotton weaves of Bengal, and the silk and cotton fabrics of Tamil Nadu.
Ancient China: China is another ancient civilization with a rich history of handloom weaving. Chinese silk is world-renowned for its quality and has been traded across the world for centuries. The Chinese were also the first to develop the treadle loom, which allowed weavers to create more intricate designs and patterns.
Ancient Egypt: The ancient Egyptians were skilled weavers who used looms to create linen fabrics for clothing and household items. The mummies of Egyptian pharaohs have been found wrapped in fine linen fabrics, which were made using traditional handloom techniques.
Pre-Columbian America: The indigenous peoples of pre-Columbian America, including the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayans, had sophisticated textile traditions that involved spinning and weaving natural fibers such as cotton and alpaca wool. The textiles produced were often highly decorated with intricate designs and patterns.
Overall, traditional handloom has a long and rich history that spans civilizations and cultures around the world. Today, traditional handloom continues to be an important cultural heritage and provides livelihoods for skilled artisans.
Efforts & Hard-work to Make Fabric in Traditional Handloom:
Efforts & hard-work to make fabric in traditional handloom involve several steps that require skill and expertise. Here is a brief overview of the process:
Spinning: The first step in making fabric in a traditional handloom is spinning. Natural fibers such as cotton, silk, and wool are spun into yarn using a spinning wheel or spindle. The yarn is then wound onto bobbins or spindles for weaving.
Warping: The next step is warping, which involves setting up the loom. The warp yarns are arranged in parallel on a frame called a warp beam, and then wound onto the loom. This process creates the foundation of the fabric.
Weaving: The weaver uses the shuttle to pass the weft yarns through the warp yarns to create the fabric. The weaver controls the tension of the yarns using foot pedals or a hand-operated mechanism.
Designing and dyeing: After the fabric is woven, it may be designed using traditional block printing, embroidery, or other techniques. The fabric can also be dyed using natural or synthetic dyes, depending on the preference of the weaver.
Finishing: Once the fabric is woven, it is washed and finished to remove any impurities and improve the texture. The fabric may be stretched, pressed, or ironed to create a smooth finish.
Overall, making fabric in traditional handlooms requires a high level of skill and expertise. The process is labour-intensive and can take several days to complete, depending on the complexity of the design and the type of fabric being produced. NeedlesKart Sourcing understands these essentials and works keenly with these handlooms. Despite the challenges, efforts to preserve and promote traditional handloom techniques continue around the world. And we support and respect these efforts.
Bhagalpur Handlooms – Traditional & Cultural Heritage of India:
Bhagalpur Handloom is famous for its high-quality silk and cotton fabrics, intricate designs, and skilled craftsmanship. The handloom industry in Bhagalpur has a rich history and has been practiced for centuries, with the craft being passed down through generations.
The silk fabrics produced through Bhagalpur Handloom are particularly renowned for their fine texture, glossy sheen, and durability. The weavers in Bhagalpur use a range of silk types, including Tussar silk, Mulberry silk, and Eri silk, and incorporate various weaving techniques, such as jacquard and dobby weaves, to create stunning designs and patterns.
The traditional patterns and motifs used in Bhagalpur Handloom products are inspired by nature and include floral, geometric, and abstract designs. The weavers use a range of natural dyes to achieve a wide range of colors, and often incorporate metallic threads to add a touch of luxury and elegance to their products.
Bhagalpur Handloom has been recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product by the Indian government, which is a testament to its unique quality and cultural significance. The GI tag ensures that only products made in Bhagalpur using traditional techniques and materials can be sold under the Bhagalpur Handloom name.
NeedlesKart Sourcing is working alongside these handlooms to support them as much as we can. We are giving them all the exposure with the brands around the world so that they can also get what they deserve. NeedlesKart Sourcing has collaborated with hundreds of these handlooms which provides living and work to these people who dedicated their lives to these traditional handlooms.
Traditional handloom is in danger:
Traditional handlooms are in danger so does it’s workers and their livelihood due to several factors, including:
Competition from machine-made textiles: The rise of mass-produced, machine-made textiles has created intense competition for handloom products. Machine-made textiles are often cheaper and can be produced more quickly, making them more attractive to consumers.
Lack of government support: In many countries, including India, the government has not provided sufficient support for the handloom sector. Weavers often lack access to credit, training, and markets, which makes it difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods.
Changing consumer preferences: As consumer preferences change, traditional handloom products may become less popular. Younger generations may not appreciate the cultural and artistic value of handloom products and may prefer more modern designs and materials.
Labor-intensive nature of handloom weaving: Handloom weaving is a labor-intensive process that requires a high level of skill and patience. As a result, many young people are not interested in taking up the craft, and the number of skilled weavers is declining.
Cheap imports: Cheap textile imports from other countries can also threaten the livelihoods of traditional weavers. These imports can flood the market with cheap, low-quality products, making it difficult for weavers to compete.
Overall, the lack of support, changing consumer preferences, and competition from machine-made textiles and cheap imports have put the traditional handloom sector in danger. It is important to support and promote traditional handloom to help preserve this rich cultural heritage and support the livelihoods of skilled artisans. NeedlesKart Sourcing is asking all of the brands around the world to stand alongside us to support them and not let these handlooms diminish.
Let’s Save These People, This Culture & These Handlooms:
Supporting these small-scale handlooms can help preserve traditional crafts and support local communities. Here are some ways you can support small-scale handloom:
Buy handloom products: Purchasing handloom products directly from small-scale weavers is one of the most effective ways to support them. You can buy products like sarees, shawls, stoles, and other clothing items made from handloom fabric.
Spread awareness: Help spread awareness about handloom products and their significance. Educate your friends and family about the cultural and artistic value of handloom products and encourage them to support small-scale weavers.
Promote fair trade: Look for organizations that support fair trade and help promote ethical practices in the handloom industry. These organizations can help ensure that the weavers are paid fairly and work under good conditions.
Collaborate with weavers: If you are in the fashion or design industry, you can collaborate with small-scale weavers to create unique, handcrafted products. This can help promote the craft and create sustainable livelihoods for the weavers.
Visit handloom clusters: Plan a visit to handloom clusters and meet with the weavers. This can help you understand their craft better and appreciate the effort and skill that goes into creating handloom products.
By supporting these small-scale handlooms, you can help preserve traditional crafts and support local communities. NeedlesKart Sourcing will continue to work alongside these handlooms. Let’s join together and support these amazing craftsmen and their craftsmanship. Let the NeedlesKart Sourcing know your brands so that we can introduce you to these awesome handlooms. Because we believe “Creativity takes courage”.
