Bodo looms have new garments to work on

Saturday, April 12, 2008 (Bhutan)


The Bhutanese kira and boku (traditional garment for women and men respectively) have rapidly captured the attention of Bodo weavers in Assam who endeavors to tap the Bhutanese textile market in a very short while.

Already, weavers from Chirang and Kokrajhar districts in Assam have captured about 8-10 percent of the Bhutan textile market and looking at the present trend it is more than just convincing that bodo weavers are set to achieve newer heights.

It all started with a discovery of growing demand for clothes woven in Assamese looms and since then weavers in Northeast India have not failed to bank on this burgeoning trend. More so because this trade proved lucrative and helped erase the enduring poverty of these neglected villages.

Bodo women have earned the reputation of being an expert in the traditional skill of weaving. This is abundantly borne out by the fact that Bhutan is virtually guttling all the clothes produced in the region.

A variety of half-kira of various length, breadth and colors and even bed sheets specially designed on orders has fetched good revenues to the weavers.

Markets in Thimphu and Bumthang are flooded with Bodo weaved clothes and there is absolutely no dearth of orders for these craftsmen who have lived long under the apprehensions.