Women in the Craft-Making: A Case of Textile Weaving of Ri-Bhoi of Meghalaya

Name of Author : D Dkhar

Abstract: The traditional craft of textile weaving in Ri-Bhoi was said to have been practised from pre-colonial times where the spinning, dyeing, weaving of cotton and Eri silk thread into cloth were known to the people of the area. The weaving production was mostly operated at the domestic level and was by and large an additional employment, besides agriculture. As one of the household craft, textile weaving was mainly dominated by women where they made a distinctive contribution to the economy of the Bhoi region. The society followed a matrilineal system, therefore the transmission of craft knowledge was also passed down from mother to daughter which led to the organisation of crafts along clan lines. Thus this paper will examine the role of women as living libraries, in transmission and safeguarding the traditional knowledge of the craft production of textile weaving of Ri-Bhoi. The study will be historical in orientation.

Keywords : Women, Traditional Craft, Bhoi, Textile Weaving

DOI :