Textiles & Craft Information
The myriad of textiles found in the regions of South East Aia is heaven for lovers of fabric and traditional crafts.
The textiles produced include; silk, cotton, hemp, lace, embroidery, applique and traditional dress to name a few. There are literally hundreds of different techniques used to create textiles which provide a plethora of vibrant colours and symbols. Hand weaving techniques are still the norm in some countries (eg Cambodia and Laos) but there is a growing trend towards the industrialisation of textile production in many countries across Asia. In many areas people are starting to use cheaper and synthetic fabrics for their traditional clothing and textile needs - which is a shame to see- but understandable when you see the time and effort required to produce a textile using traditional materials and methods. As the women in many of the areas we visit are also required to participate in the running of the household and work in the fields this adds to their desire to use ready made materials. Having said that there is an ongoing movement of organisations which are working to sustain and promote the use of traditional textiles and we hope that through our tours that we can help to keep this happening. |