Women Wisdom: Lhamo's Story of Weaving
Every handmade piece from Earth Wisdom Collection is interwoven with the stories of real women.
This post marks the first of our "Women Wisdom" blog series. In these posts, we'll spotlight female entrepreneurs and change makers who inspire our collection, as they lead with feminine wisdom, creativity, and beauty.
We'd like to begin by featuring Lhamo, our dear friend and Earth Wisdom team on the ground in Bhutan.
When Synchronicity Weaves Its Magic
In 2023, Earth Wisdom co-founders Nando and Kathi returned to the Himalayas (read about their story in the East in our previous blog post). Their destination was Bhutan, a small Buddhist kingdom full of Himalayan spirit. They set up a cultural expedition with a local guide named Lhamo.
Soon, their time together evolved into something much more important. Kathi, having heard of sacred Bhutanese textiles, asked Lhamo if they could see some weavings. It turns out that Lhamo had a personal connection to the craft. And over the passing days, a shared vision emerged – to create a bridge between cultures, support Bhutanese women, and share their exquisite weaving tradition with the world through the Earth Wisdom Collection.
A Conversation with Lhamo
Q: Can you share a bit about your background?
A: I grew up in the remote Eastern part of Bhutan, known as the origin of Bhutanese textiles. Because my mother is a weaver, I’ve always felt connected to the textiles. In 2005, I moved to the city to study and work. Over the past 7 years, I’ve been working as a cultural tour guide, trekking guide, and travel planner for both foreigners and locals. I'm passionate about learning, especially about tourism and the textile trade.
I met Kathi and Nando when they made a trip to Bhutan in 2023. I was guiding them around, showing them how beautiful our country is and sharing our cultural heritage. Kathi wanted to see our weavings, and she immediately recognized the connection to her own work. It's been a great opportunity for me to share our culture through textiles and support our community, especially the women in Bhutan.
A: I started learning when I was 10 years old. It's a tradition in our culture for mothers to pass down the knowledge to their daughters. There are no written instructions; it's all inherited knowledge passed orally from generation to generation.
I started with a backstrap loom, using my feet, which is easier for beginners. It was really hard at first because there’s a strong learning curve, I wasn’t used to it. But after months of practice, it got easier. It's quite complicated for a 10-year-old, but that’s part of our culture and way of life.
A: The process starts with preparing and dyeing the material with vegetables - washing it with vinegar, cooking it, drying it, and spinning it before it even goes on the loom. We use different types of looms, including backstrap looms and horizontal looms. There are usually 10-12 steps to create a single pattern. It's a very intricate process that requires a lot of concentration and skill.
Weaving a belt with complex designs, such as Earth Wisdom Collection belts, can take 1-2 months. For more elaborate traditional pieces like the "Kishuthara" dress, which is worn for annual festivals and weddings, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to weave*, depending on the complexity of the patterns.
*Note: The Purple Golden Helix Long Sleeve Shirt and Purple Golden Helix Belt Wrap Pants include the Kishuthara’s precious, time-intensive pattern which is worn for the annual festival.
Q: What about the Bhutanese weaving tradition and textiles do you appreciate the most?
A: Bhutanese weaving is considered the "treasure" of our people. It's a symbol of our country's heritage and identity that has been passed down for centuries, from grandmothers to mothers to daughters.
What I appreciate most is how our textiles are deeply connected to our beliefs. For example, when you look at the patterns in our belts, they're all associated with spiritual wellness. The "Shinglo" or “Tree of Life” pattern represents longevity and good fortune. The "Endless Knots" symbolize how everything's connected and interlinked. The double thunderbolt pattern represents the indestructible power of Buddhism.
I also love how weaving brings our community together. Women often weave in groups, it helps us stay aligned and talk. It's a source of self-employment for many women, helping support future generations.
Q: What makes weaving a spiritual practice in Bhutan?
A: I feel weaving is a form of meditation for us. It requires deep concentration and focus. We believe that the weavings carry the energy and intentions of the weaver. That's why it's important to maintain positive thoughts and energy while weaving.
We hold the belief that giving a belt as a gift strengthens your relationship with the recipient. It's considered a meaningful gift for friends or loved ones. The patterns and symbols in the weavings are believed to bring good fortune, protection, and other benefits to the wearer. There are prayers associated with certain weavings, both for the weavers and the wearers, although these are hard to explain as they're deeply rooted in our culture.
Q: How is the weaving tradition evolving in modern times? Are there any challenges?
A: One of the main challenges we face is the threat of machinery taking over. However, we Bhutanese are committed to keeping the handwoven tradition alive. In our textile markets, most items are still handwoven, although some machine-made products are starting to appear.
As a tour guide, I often do textile walks where I compare handwoven and machine-made textiles. People always find the handwoven pieces more beautiful and detailed. There are obvious differences in quality and craftsmanship.
Kathi and I are most interested in preserving some of the more rare techniques, like nettle weaving (see below), which is at risk of being lost because it’s so time-consuming. It's important to us to keep these traditions alive for future generations.
*Nettles are medicinal due to their bitterness, which helps to ground the body and improve liver health. It also has immense protective properties, as it has evolved to sting to keep enemies away. The symbols handwoven on our Embraced in Protection Bhutanese Nettle Weave Jacket represent vibrations that protect the spine, align the chakras and enhance consciousness.
Q: Can you tell us about the upcoming retreat you're planning with Earth Wisdom Collection?
A: Yes, we're very excited about this! We have designed a 10-day retreat focused on textiles. It is set in early April to coincide with a traditional festival, which will give participants a unique cultural experience. It’s going to be truly authentic.
We Seek to Uplift Guardians of Ancient Wisdom
From a small remote village, to the big city, to returning to her origins, Lhamo is coming to understand the value of preserving her Himalayan heritage.
Earth Wisdom Collection supports Lhamo’s work in Bhutan by funding and sourcing embroideries directly from her. We’re also partnering with Lhamo to setup an NGO that focuses on empowering marginalized women in her community – divorced, widowed, or single mothers – by providing education and fair wages. This enables them to weave from home and support their families.
By purchasing a Bhutanese belt, you’re not just getting a beautiful accessory – you’re connecting with Himalayan wisdom and supporting the next generation of artisans.
The Himalayan Spirit Is Calling
In April 2025, we will be hosting a retreat in the enchanting Kingdom of Bhutan. It's an extraordinary, 9-day Earth Wisdom experience to take you off the beaten path, immersing you in the heart of Himalayan culture.
Bring your spirit to the Cradle of Ancient Wisdom and receive new insights. Clear your path. Together, we will share our stories and gifts with Bhutan, make offerings, and in doing so, connect deeper and receive blessings.
This retreat is for curious-minded adventurers who want to:
- Engage with the simplicity and reverence of Bhutanese daily life and rituals
- Be guided by local communities, listen to their age-old stories and witness ancient traditions, passed down through the test of time, from generation to generation
- Forage in the forest, collecting native herbs and plants, learning which plants are to savor in nourishing meals, and which plants are used for pigmentation and textiles
- Discover the vibration of Bhutanese weavings, and how they offer us protection and spiritual resonance
- Make sacred offerings and receive blessings and prayers from Buddhist masters
- Go deeper to engage with deities of the region’s indigenous people
- Discover the prayer of chanting and dance
If you feel called to join us on this transformative journey to the Sky Kingdom, please let us know soon. Spaces are limited! Email info@earthwisdomcollection.com for more info.