The Craft Diaries - The Rabaari tribe

The Rabaari tribe

India is the craft capital of the world. It has immensely rich resources and skilled craftspeople who continue to work in this ever increasing digital age. At PCP we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. This year I want to spend less time behind my computer and more time out in the field, exploring and learning from artisans and small business owners and share their skills and processes with you. We’re also exploring collaborating on small runs so we can produce something that you can enjoy and we can in turn support them financially.

A wide array of craftspeople live in Kutch, Gujurat. There you can find applique, tribal embroidery, resist block printing, tie dye, hand loom and batik. What I’ve found most inspiring on this trip was to see the tribal women’s personal embroidery work. For me, to witness their freedom of expression is the most exciting. It is raw and unfiltered and made for themselves or for someone they love. There are no rules of design, just their incredible skills and artistry.

Join us on our seven-part series exploring the colourful world of craft.

Day 1

We visited the Rabaari tribe at their homes to watch them create their world famous embroideries and find out about their relationship with their craft.

Traditionally a young woman embroidered many pieces before she married as an offering to her new family, as well as creating garments for the wedding itself with help from her elders. Later the Rabaari tribe banned this tradition as they feared there was too much pressure to produce the vast amounts expected. Instead the women started embroidering to earn money whilst their husbands cared for the sheep and camels.

The women wear black to represent the many men who died during a historic battle and to pay respect to the lost warriors. The married women wear tops which have a ruched chest area and a special stitch around the neck.

The Rabaari are known for their chain, herringbone stitches and mirror work. They use cotton or silk threads in red, pink, green, violet, yellow and white.

Now a woman fits in her embroidery around her housework and typically engages in it for 2 to 3 hours per day. A scarf might take her around 15 to 20 days to create. Generally the younger generation are not interested in carrying on the tradition and are going to school to study and look for new ways to make money.