Lotus Weaving of Inle Lake Myanmar

Oct 2014

The image of the lotus is everywhere in Burma. It holds the basis for untold powers of healing and is the source of much folklore. I was thrilled to learn that during my trip we would be visiting the Khit Sunn Yin Hand Weaving Center to see the lotus weaving of Inle Lake Myanmar.

I had previously thought rare silks or threads of cashmere were the most labor intensive and luxurious of fibers. Little did I know that another fiber really set the gold standard. While visiting, we had the opportunity to watch the entire process of lotus weaving and learn of the incredible workmanship that goes into each and every textile piece.Researching the traditional weaving process is a favorite activity when I travel. You might remember my fascinating trip to the village of Ponchampally, outside Hyderabad, India, where I was able to observe a traditional dying process using only natural ingredients. The weaving in Burma is filled with that same labor of love.

Each scarf has over 3000 lotus stalks woven within. To prepare the threads, spin, thread the loom and weave will take an artisan over two weeks. I wondered how they could sustain such a process, both in terms of the life of the lotus, and the hourly wage of the weavers. Luckily, the villagers are aware of the rare beauty and exclusive nature the finished fabric; prices reflect that uniqueness and lotus fabric is one of the most expensive in the world.

Apparently the flower will only grow in the most pristine of waters. It thrives in the freshwater Inle Lake. This pure quality is carried through the threads of the woven cloth; that is why it is used for the robes of Buddhist monks. The calm, peaceful and meditative characteristics the plant is said to bring, are certainly words I would use to describe the monks I’ve observed and spoken with on my journey.

The villagers also believers in the healing powers and many wear the fabric themselves. In different instances, I heard claims of relief of asthma, heart conditions, lung and headaches. In any case, it is a beautiful fabric, and I am happy to join the villagers in wearing this distinctive cloth {by way of a scarf} and supporting an indigenous craft. The texture of the fabric is similar to a raw silk or linen, and has an incredibly soft hand.

Just a short boat ride from our sanctuary on Inle Lake is a over the water workshop filled with activity. As you approach the building in your dug out boat, a strange clack, clack overwhelms any other sound in the area. The looms are busy at work. When we first arrived, we were treated to a demonstration of how the lotus fibers are harvested. After the rains of the monsoon, the lotus flower is in its glory. Bright pink flowers apparently indicate the best fibers. The time consuming stripping of the stalk of the lotus takes place when the stems are freshly picked.

Porous fibers are twisted and rolled together with water, spun, and then washed again. The original color is a beautiful earth tone with subtle variations throughout the threads. Natural dyes are made from the bark of a tree, flower petals, leaves and fruit. A primitive stove cooked the spun fibers in many different dye baths, pieces of wood keeping the vats boiling and smoking. The effect in the dark building was quite surreal as brilliant sunlight flooded in through some of the windows. Fabric and skeins make dramatic visual drying outside.

The talented weavers also make fabric from cotton and silk at the Khit Sunn Yin Hand Weaving Center. This provides a more affordable and sustainable option for retail shoppers. It was encouraging to see this thriving cooperative promoting the artisans and keeping so many women employed in one of the poorest countries in South East Asia. As the doors to tourism open even wider, this traditional craft of the Myanmar people won’t be a secret for long. Italian and Japanese designers are already incorporating the luxury fabric into collections and finished goods are selling for thousands of dollars. Is the craft part of a Fair Trade and sustainable system?

I’ve written before about the lake’s fragile eco-system and wonder how the production will be able to keep up with demand. The rapidly changing times will need additional lotus growth in other parts of the country in order to sustain this unique craft and harvest the threads in an environmentally friendly way. Let’s hope the process can keep the calm and meditative traditions of Buddhist thought respectfully in the forefront of Inle Lake’s culture.