Bhutan was little known to the outside world until the last decade of the 20th century. It is now an exclusive travel destination for its pristine environment and rich culture.
Bhutan has thirteen traditional arts including painting, carving, paper-making, bamboo crafts, stonework, but weaving is most important as the main art of women.
Textiles are used for clothing, gifts, offerings, inheritance, investment, decoration, collection, barter, or sale. Though motifs and patterns are very traditional, weavers put their own ideas so that no two elaborate Bhutanese textiles are the same. Textiles are among the most coveted possessions for Bhutanese people, and they beautifully represent Bhutan's rich heritage. There is scant knowledge of the textile art of Bhutan before the XVII century, but the refined weaving techniques pre-date the codification of weaving as art. Bhutanese textiles are today as sophisticated and intricate as they have been for centuries.
The hand-woven textiles of Bhutan are colorful, beautiful and elaborate.
Traditional weaving is incredibly intricate.
Techniques and patterns are unchanged; some weaves have developed into luxurious textiles owing to wider access to raw materials and synthetic dyes. Preserving the ancient art in a world increasingly dominated by industrial production has become a difficult task. Urbanization, public sector occupations, a fast modernizing society in which being a civil servant carries more status than working in the traditional arts are some of the challenges.
An intricate silk textile, like this ‘kishutara’, can take up to 1 year to weave
If you are passionate about hand weaves and interested in Bhutanese textile art, let Arts and Travels of Bhutan organize for you a 15-18 days journey through Bhutan with focus on Eastern Bhutan, famous for its master weavers and the most intricate fabrics: sit down with a master weaver to try out your skills at weaving, or participate in a workshop on natural dyes. We also arrange guided tours of the Royal Textile Academy in Thimphu, and textile lectures at Arts and Travels of Bhutan location also in Thimphu. The Lecture can cover Bhutan's rich textile variety, weaving techniques, natural dye processes, historical facts. On site weaving demonstration can also be arranged. You will be able to view our collection of elaborate and historical textiles, and purchase our textile products on exhibit, or order your own unique Bhutanese textile.