Scarf Item Number: 3056/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Woven scarf. Thick panels on long sides are a dark purple, while centre is densely patterned with thick lines of various colours and diamond shaped, zigzag, and linear designs. Colours range from bright red to black, pink and light blue. Thin lines of blue and red run down the long sides closed to the edges. Short ends are finished with a fringe of tassels. Front can be differentiated from back by the presence of pulls in the centre design area, more complete patterning, and brighter colours.

Narrative

Textile purchased from a shop in Mae Sot that sells crafts made for the "Karen Women Organization Income Generation Project". The women making the textiles/crafts are confined to refugee camps in northern Thailand. They use traditional looms or backstrap weaving and natural dye techniques to produce various textiles, which are sold with "Karen Refugee Women Handicrafts" labels, through outside shops. Some traditional items have been adapted to modern forms, such as carrying bags (e.g., 3056/8), and the shops also sell T-shirts (e.g., 3056/9).