Bhotiya Weaving: The Vanishing Wool Wisdom of the Himalayas

In the icy winds of Munsiyari, where temperatures plunge to -25°C, the Bhotiya tribe once survived by weaving magic from mountain sheep wool. Today, only 17 families still practice this ancient craft.

The Sacred Weaving Process

1. Changra Wool Harvesting

• Combing (not shearing) Himalayan sheep in summer
• Natural colors: White (पहाड़ी भेड़), Brown (रामबुतिया), and Black (काली भेंट)

2. Hand Spinning

• Using takli (spindle) and charkha
• 1 blanket = 3 weeks of spinning

3. Loom Weaving

• Traditional patterns:
  • चेपटी: Diamond grids (for warmth)
  • फुलकारी: Flower motifs (wedding shawls)
  • सीमा रेखा: Border designs (spiritual protection)

Why the Craft is Disappearing

1. Climate Change
   Rising temperatures reduce quality of Changra wool (-40% yield since 1990)

2. Plastic Invasion
   Synthetic blankets from ₹199 in local markets

3. No Next Generation
   "My children drive taxis in Delhi" - Lakpa Sherpa, last master weaver of Nelang valley

Cultural Significance Lost

Preserving the Threads

1. Buy Authentic

• Look for Bhotiya Mark certification
• Support: @HimalayanCraftsCoop

2. Document Patterns

# Contribute to the archive:
git clone https://github.com/himalayan-textiles/bhotiya-weaves.git