IN11 – Kashmir Weavers

Stitchers: Suraksha Vohra, Ramesh Rani & Asia Mirza – Edinburgh

The people of Kashmir and neighbouring regions have been collecting and hand weaving the fine wool of their goats for thousands of years, creating a thriving industry of their own. The explorer William Moorcroft purchased some Kashmir (or Cashmere) wool during his expedition to Tibet in 1812, but most of the overseas trade had to go through China as the Himalayas prevented easy passage Indian ports, making such shawls expensive. Shawls and cloth brought in by the East India Company, often featuring the distinct buta pattern, drove domestic demand: Norwich, Paisley and Edinburgh soon became centres for cheaper imitation cloth.

IN11 Breabadairean Kashmir
Tha muinntir Kashmir agus na sgìrean mun cuairt air a bhith a’ cruinneachadh agus a’ fighe clòimh mhìn nan gobhar aca airson mìltean de bhliadhnaichean, a’ cruthachadh gnìomhachas soirbheachail dhaibh fhèin. Cheannaich an taisgealaiche Uilleam Moorcroft clòimh Kashmir (no Cashmere) nuair a bha e air mòr-thuras gu Tibet ann an 1812, ach bha aig a’ mhòr-chuid den mhalairt thall-thairis ri dhol tro Shìona oir bha beanntan Himalaya ga dhèanamh duilich faighinn gu na puirt Ìnnseanach, a’ dèanamh nan sèilichean daor an ceannach. Bha sèilichean is aodach air a thoirt a-steach bho Chompanaidh nan Ìnnsean an Ear, gu tric a’ nochdadh a’ phàtrain shònraichte buta, a’ stiùireadh iarrtais aig an taigh: ann an ùine nach robh fada, bha Norwich, Pàislig agus Dùn Èideann nan àiteachan far am faighteadh aodach breug-shamhail nas saoire.