Handcrafted Textiles
Wandering through the highlands of Meghalaya, it’s impossible not to be captivated by the artistry woven into daily life. Here, handcrafted textiles aren’t just garments; they are storied heirlooms, cultural statements, and vital threads in the fabric of community identity.
A Weaver’s Heritage: The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Traditions
Meghalaya’s weaving heritage radiates from its three principal tribes—the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia—each known for distinctive styles and techniques.
Meghalaya’s weaving heritage radiates from its three principal tribes—the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia—each known for distinctive styles and techniques.
- Eri silk (Ryndia) stands out as a symbol of Meghalaya’s textile prowess. Grown from castor-fed silkworms, this silk is prized for its softness, warmth, and remarkable durability. It’s spun and woven entirely by hand, often in village cooperatives where skill is passed down through generations.
- Khasi women are famed for creating the jainsem, a wraparound garment woven in rich earth tones, and the dhara—draped elegantly with simple yet striking border motifs. Their stoles, shawls, and blouses incorporate local mulberry or Eri silk, bringing a natural sheen and subtle palette to their wardrobes.
- Garo women’s signature is the dakmanda, an unstitched cloth worn from waist to knee. Handwoven on traditional looms, the dakmanda features bold borders and patterns—sometimes floral, sometimes symbolic—reflecting stories of lineage, fertility, and the rolling Garo hills.
Motifs, Materials, and More
Meghalaya’s handlooms extend beyond clothing. Cotton wraps, bamboo and cane accessories, intricate beadwork, and unique pottery are part of the vibrant craftscape. Motifs often echo ancient tales, indigenous flora, or abstract tribal lore. The embroidery—especially the historic khneng embroidery on Eri silk—marks a confluence of trade, artistry, and identity, with some villages renowned for unique styles.
Meghalaya’s handlooms extend beyond clothing. Cotton wraps, bamboo and cane accessories, intricate beadwork, and unique pottery are part of the vibrant craftscape. Motifs often echo ancient tales, indigenous flora, or abstract tribal lore. The embroidery—especially the historic khneng embroidery on Eri silk—marks a confluence of trade, artistry, and identity, with some villages renowned for unique styles.
Marketplace Connections
Visit any local market or festival, and you’ll discover textiles both utilitarian and ceremonial. By purchasing a handwoven piece, travelers support artisan livelihoods and play a part in protecting a legacy at risk from mass-produced alternatives.
Visit any local market or festival, and you’ll discover textiles both utilitarian and ceremonial. By purchasing a handwoven piece, travelers support artisan livelihoods and play a part in protecting a legacy at risk from mass-produced alternatives.
A Story in Every Thread
Meghalaya’s textiles are living expressions—comfort, ritual, and collective memory entwined. Each wrap, border, or pattern holds stories: of village matriarchs at dawn-lit looms, of resilience, celebration, and pride that endures, one artisan at a time.
Meghalaya’s textiles are living expressions—comfort, ritual, and collective memory entwined. Each wrap, border, or pattern holds stories: of village matriarchs at dawn-lit looms, of resilience, celebration, and pride that endures, one artisan at a time.