With Looms of Ladakh — A Producer Owned Cooperative — We Find More Stability

Chonzom ly, Product Officer of Looms of Ladakh was a shepherd and learned knitting at the age of 15 through her mother. She was first introduced to weaving through 40 days of training by Looms of Ladakh at Kharnakling center. When were you introduced to knitting for the first time in your life? I started knitting in Changthang at the age of 15. At that time, I was also shepherding (kharnak). I learned knitting from my mother... In the initial stages, one was making socks and gloves only for family members.. When were you introduced to weaving for the first time in life? That was when I was introduced to Looms of Ladakh and went for a 40-day training organized by the women’s cooperative at the Kharnakling center Do you know backstrap loom weaving? I learned the skill from my mother. It is a family tradition and kids are taught to make traditional carpets, skaraks, namboo, at home. As kids, we were even punished if we failed in the task of weaving properly. What did they sell? how much do they earn from it? I have been doing backstep weaving occasionally but my family members are doing other jobs. Did you ever sell products made on backstrap loom weaving through your brand looms of Ladakh? Yes, I have sold namboo (spuruk), and khulu shawl. Can you describe the customers who bought it? Mainly they were the local customers. Some tourists have preferred to go for backstrap loom. What was the feedback of customers about those products? The Customers have shown plenty of interest in Tsukdan (carpet) and tsukthul. Do you still want to make a product with a backstrap loom? Why? Yes, it’s an alternative livelihood when we do not get sufficient work. Women in the Kharnakling produce on-demand. This gives additional income to many women in kharnakling who are, otherwise work as laborers. What should be done to improve demand in the market? Do you have any ideas? Can you share an example where you both made an innovative product with traditional weaving? How can you merchandise it? My suggestion is that there should be a special focus on the quality of what we produce, more stress should be on backstep weaving since it gives better quality and fetches a much higher price. It is also important to put our products on display during festivals. The other groups are using this method much to their advantage. What do you think about the product? Do you feel proud of it? In recent years, more and more people have started buying what we have been producing traditionally like tsukdan, tsukthul, and nambu. The demand for customized designs for these products is also on the rise. Do you know for whom you are working in Looms of Ladakh? We are working for the women’s group, i.e., Looms of Ladakh. It is committed to uplifting, empowering, and improving the quality of life of rural women. Do you know you are the owners? All the members are the owners. Everyone is working together and the resources belong to everyone.

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With Looms of Ladakh — A Producer Owned Cooperative — We Find More Stability

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