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| Kushuthara - Every woman's prized possession |
Most of the people in Lhuentse Dzongkhag are predominantly of agriculturalist by nature. The Dzongkhag has the suitable climatic condition for practicing the farming of of all “Dru-na-gu”. However, encouraged by the fertile land with good irrigation facilities, most of the people are into wetland cultivations which make Lhuentse an envied Dzongkhag for producing rice. Lhuentse as one of the rice producing district in the Country contributes unprecedentedly towards realizing the food self-sufficiency of the Country. However, these agriculture farming keeps them bogged down only in summer during the time when water for that matters rains are aplenty.
Come winter, there is not much works around. Contrarily when farmers in other parts of the Country are relaxing, farmers in Lhuentse have always kept themselves productively engaged. They busy themselves in winter involving themselves full heartedly in off-farm activities which mainly focuses on weaving by women of all ages.
The principle source of the Kushuthara is Lhuentse Dzongkhag. While Khoma geog is considered as production hotspots of the cloth every woman vies for, women in atleast three other geogs are involved in weaving of the Kushuthara. The primary raw material for the cloth is the brocades which are now available in retail markets. But it is from Samdrup Jongkhar that people mostly buy the threads in large quantities. Having the raw material at easy disposal, it takes all the experienced hands to finally bring the most prized kira into shape.
So, why is it so costly? The cheapest of the brand would atleast cost Nu. 30,000 at Thimphu and the cost don’t vary much even in Lhuentse – the source either. The best design fetches more than one hundred thousand. The clothes become considerably expensive due to huge investment of time and energy it demands for as validated by Kinzang Lhamo, a resident of Wangshing in Minjay. The most intricately designed takes on an average of six months to complete weaving one kira. One kira is the total of three pieces that would make the standard sized kira when stitched.
Whatever, weaving Kushuthara is one potential alternative source of incomes for people in Lhuentse. Women in Lhuentse are fully engrossed in the trade from the time immemorial. There are no females in Lhuentse who aren’t introduced to the handling the loom. Girl students contribute immensely during winter vacation. It is also a established fact that some students can make enough to finance their education solely from weaving.
The income generated through such source is considered as main finance for construction of new house, buy agricultural machineries, household appliances and other costly items. Weaving is also a principle source for financing education for their children.
The weaving culture is finely integrated with the agriculture farming in a sense that the trades are performed in a perfect arrangement not to contradict each others. The looms are hanged up in summer when the farming season picks up. Although weaving can still be practiced in summer, there is honestly not enough labour to be spared. Come winter, finally shuddering the dust off, the looms are lowered and put to action. The girl students on winter break help add up few pairs of hands for weaving.
However, the absence of a functioning weavers’ association is known as one impediment in sustainably maintaining the weaving culture in the Dzongkhag. The normal practice is that the job is given in the contract basis by the broker who may be claiming lion-share of the profit margin. Therefore, need is urgently felt to institute a weavers’ group or association whereby the marketing aspect is properly handled. Whether there is association or not, weaving in Lhuentse will remain one potential alternative source of income perfectly blended with the agriculture farming system.
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