Tibetan cooperative keeps centuries-old weaving tradition alive
SHANNAN, Tibet — More than a dozen men and women sit at wooden looms, sliding shuttles through rows of wool yarn before pulling each thread tight. They repeat it again and again as they weave Pulu, the traditional woolen fabric that has clothed people on the Tibetan plateau for centuries. They work at the Ethnic Huaji Handwoven Cooperative in Shannan, where artisans are trying to preserve one of…
In Shannan, a town nestled within the Tibetan plateau, a group of artisans works diligently at wooden looms, meticulously weaving Pulu, a traditional woolen fabric that has sustained the region for generations. The Ethnic Huaji Handwoven Cooperative, established in 2008 by Tibetan artisan Pasang, employs over 100 locals, including those with disabilities, to safeguard this ancient craft.
The cooperative specializes in Zeter, an even finer variant of Pulu created from the exceptionally soft wool sourced from the necks and backs of sheep. This finer wool renders the yarn more challenging to spin, contributing to Zeter's unique characteristics. Pasang asserts that Zeter's lighter, softer, and more delicate nature earned it a prestigious role as a tribute from Tibet to the Chinese imperial court during the Ming dynasty.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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