A Tibetan cooperative keeps a centuries-old weaving tradition alive

In Shannan, a town in Tibet's western China, workers at the Ethnic Huaji Handwoven Cooperative sit at wooden looms, meticulously weaving Pulu, a traditional woolen fabric that has sustained the Tibetan plateau's inhabitants for centuries. Founded in 2008 by Tibetan artisan Pasang, the cooperative employs over 100 local residents, including those with disabilities, and aims to safeguard one of Tibet's oldest weaving traditions while generating jobs for the community.

Pasang's cooperative specializes in Zeter, a finer variety of Pulu crafted from the soft wool of sheep's necks and backs, which he claims was once presented as a diplomatic gift to China's imperial court during the Ming dynasty. Pasang learned Zeter weaving from his parents at a time when fewer than ten people still possessed the skill, and he hopes to inspire younger generations to maintain this craft, which has been designated as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage.

The wool for Zeter is sourced from sheep raised in the Shannan region, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,700 meters (12,100 feet) above sea level.