Documenting Women Weavers

Centre of Women's Development Studies (CWDS), in collaboration with RLS South Asia, is conducting a research study on women weavers in select tribal communities, documenting their role as knowledge bearers and examining the changes their practice has undergone over time.

Handloom weaving is central to the cultural, social and economic life of many indigenous communities in India. Women are the primary knowledge holders and practitioners of this tradition, yet their contributions remain largely undocumented and unrecognised in mainstream discourse on women's work. Modernisation, shifting market demands and changes in raw materials and techniques have altered weaving practices, with traditional motifs and processes giving way to newer forms. The intergenerational transfer of skills is under pressure, and the risk of traditional knowledge being lost or displaced is significant.

Using oral history narratives, in-depth interviews and visual documentation, the research will capture weaving practices, designs and their cultural significance, the experiences of women weavers across generations, market conditions and the reach and impact of state policy interventions.