Conscious Practices in Wool Textiles at Peoli, Almora, Uttarakhand

The people: Every summer, the sheep herders of the Bhotiya and Shauka communities travel to the upper reaches in Harsil, Niti, Mana, Malari and other upper grasslands of Uttarakhand grazing their livestock and other upper grasslands of Uttarakhand grazing their livestock. These communities are engaged in sheering of wool and other ancillary activities like, cleaning, carding, spinning, weaving and knitting with this wool. During winters, these people descend to the towns at lower altitudes and bring with them the wool of their sheep. Towns like Dhunda in the Garhwal region, have thus become prominent centres where trade and processing of this indigenous wool takes place.

The Craft: Hand woven floor coverings and a variety of hand-woven blankets are traditional woven products made of local sheep wools. The sheep herders prefer to wear garments woven from local wool, as the heavy wool keeps them warm during the freezing temperatures.