Sualkuchi: World’s largest weaving village

16 Nov,2023

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Sualkuchi is a census town in Kamrup district in the Indian state of Assam.

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It is said that every household in the village is directly associated with weaving exotic silk fabrics.

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The main silk that is weaved here is the famous Muga silk.

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One place where the age-old skill of weaving gamusa, or traditional Assamese clothing fashioned from local materials, and mekhela chadors is still practised.

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Whether it's setting up the loom, getting the yarn ready, or actually weaving, both men and women pitch in.

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These Sualkuchi weaving workshops are both family-owned businesses and commercial ventures. 

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The majority of the looms utilised here have Jacquard mechanisms, which is an unusual feature.

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A warp, or set of strands, is attached into a wooden or bamboo frame, and the weaver uses a treadle, or auxiliary device with a pedal, to operate the jacquard and create the desired designs.

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It is easy to fathom how long it has taken each weaver to master this age-old craft of weaving.

Credit: Google Images