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My theme this year is Burma AKA Myanmar. I used to live in Laos, so I looked forward to returning to Southeast Asia. I spent a little over three weeks exploring this country, learning a bit about its culture: its history, religion, and language. I thought others might enjoy some of what I learned and see some of what I saw.
Weavers in Burma use, high grade cotton, silk and lotus to create fabrics.
Here the girl peels and shreds lotus that will be made into a very fine scarf or skirt. A lotus scarf costs about $35 US. A cotton one about $8. Silk is $25.
| Stripping Away the Outer Lotus Stem |
NOW what do you know about this Lotus that’s used for weaving?
T/F 1. While the lotus is used for weaving cloth, it’s also a sacred plant.
T/F 2. The lotus flower is beautiful, but poisonous.
Answers tomorrow.
I'm going to go with poisonous…isn't it the lotus that puts people in deep sleeps?
I love this post! My ancestors were weavers in Scotland, so I felt as though I was seeing a little glimpse of ancient family history.
I had no idea about the Lotus being used in weaving or that it was more expensive than silk. I keep learning things here 🙂
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Love the look of the Lotus flower (if I'm thinking of the right flower - lol) but didn't know it was poisonous.
shahwharton.com
How very interesting. I love it when I learn something new.
very informative.. was not aware that our very own national Flower lotus is used for weaving too other then being offered at Almighty's feet.
http://serendipityofdreams.blogspot.in/
Interesting to see how this type of clothing is made. True and false.
What an amazing flower!! I never knew it was used in weaving.
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ClarabelleRant
No wonder the lotus scarf costs more than the cotton or silk-the bigger surprise is that it doesn't cost way, way more. I hadn't realized that the lotus flowers are poisonous. I guess that poem, The Lotus Eaters, made me think the flowers were some type of opiate. Very interesting, as usual!
Wow! I bet it takes a long time.
Yvonne
Their clothes probably last years longer than ours!
I never knew lotus was used for weaving… sounds like it would fit right in a story 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
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MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
Hi Lee - gosh it must take them forever to strip the lotus flower … and Lotus Flowers are special - whether it's poisonous or not .. I'm unsure. Could possibly be … cheers Hilary
I've heard of the lotus flower but had no idea they made clothes with it. Interesting. It's so neat to learn about other countries.
Fascinating to think that a piece of clothing can come from a flower!
Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony
I don't think it's poisonous, I do think it's magical. Isn't there a legend about the Lotus Eaters? Never knew it could be used for clothes though.
I didn't know Lotus could be used this way! How cool, and I liked the short clip. What bright colors… Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
OK, I looked this one up. Lotus is edible, the flowers (instead of cabbage rolls I'm thinking of lotus rolls - how exotic is that!), the stems and the roots. Stems contain a fiber that is used for weaving but only in Myanmar. Wow, I'm learning something new every day.
Evalina, This and that…
I'm sure these are quite stunning when all finished! 🙂
Lotus!!!! For weaving, wow! I know bamboo can be used for cloth, but I can't imagine anyone handstripping a bamboo plant for fibers. I know lotus is edible, because I've eaten lotus root, and it'd delicious too. Sometimes they sell the roots around New Year, but it's not usually easy to get, even in Hawaii. Or at least not on Maui.
I was intrigued w/ the video - so she's spinning, right? I wonder if it's any lotus or just certain varieties. We also have a waterlily farm a few miles down the road, I've never thought of trying to shred the fibers of the stem. Hmmm. Naaah.. I have too many other projects to do!
Maui Jungalow
Weaving is beautiful… looks like a complex process.
I love handmade woven stuff! When my dad was older he got into it bigtime and made some very pretty rugs and wall hangings.
Wow, those are really beautiful. I didn't know lotus could be used that way.
Are they open to bargaining in Burma, or were prices set?
Both true, I think. Never knew lotus was used to make clothing.
I would buy one of their scarves and skirts in a second! They use the old tried and true method which is great. I will say false to the first (I was going to say true…ughh I will find out tomorrow) since they love the Lotus but I don;t think it's sacred but I believe the lotus is poisonous. Watch it will be the leaves not the flower that is poisonous:)
So interesting. I'm sure the clothing is colorful and airy!
That is cool. (But I'll stick with knitting ^_~)
Fascinating. it is nice to know that this craft is still done.
Weaving is such a beautiful art. I hadn't realized the lotus flower could be woven.
As for the quiz, I'm going with True for it being a sacred plant, totally basing this off of a cartoon, Avatar: The Last Airbender. As for being poisonous, I don't know. Hmmm…
it is amazing what can be made out of natural produce…
as to the questions - I'd answer yes to both 🙂
I didn't know lotus could be used to make fabric. How neat!
Lets see…sacred plant?…true…poisonous?…false.
I've always been interesting in weaving. Some of them are so beautiful. I didn't know you could weave with lotus.
Weaving is so beautiful - a childhood friend's mom used to have a hand-loom and it was really cool to see her artistry take shape when I was a kid - it was like something magical.
And I'm going to go with T on both T/F, today. 🙂
Thanks for sharing, C. Lee!
How beautiful. Ooh, I do want to know if the lotus is poisonous. I'm going to guess false, but I don't know!
I think both are true but I'm not sure.
I love reading about exotic cultures, especially when it comes from an insider 🙂
What a beautiful art form. Well worth the dollars to have something handmade.
Play off the Page
It's such a beautiful form of art. I wonder how long it takes to make a scarf?
Again you have come up with a splendid post. both with the writing and pictures.
Yvonne.
The lotus one must require a lot of work then.