Eternal Threads: Sacred Weavings of Bhutan
For a moment, consider all the mother figures in your life. Did they ever pass an extraordinary piece of wisdom onto you? Perhaps, something their mother taught them, and their grandmother before?
This is ancestral wisdom. It binds the past and the present, like a little thread tied to your heart, connecting you to your ancestors, your cultural heritage, and all of Earth.
Sadly, many of us have lost touch with ancestral wisdom in our modern era.
But there are still places where ancestral wisdom is deeply intertwined in everyday life. And one of those special places is the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan.
When I first visited the Himalayas at age 18, I recognized ancestral wisdom all around me. Decades later, I returned in 2023, and I was especially captivated by the sacred artform of Bhutanese weaving, known as thazgo.
I witnessed women, young and old, weaving together on backstrap looms, sharing stories, singing songs, reciting prayers, and sharing the village news.
I felt transported back in time to centuries before. I could see their ancestors in their midst, engaged in the same weaving ritual.
The complexity involved defied my understanding. And to think, the technique was passed down orally for generations, without any written records.
Many textile experts agree that Bhutanese weaving is among the most sophisticated and time-consuming in the world. Working the loom for 10-12 hours may only produce a few centimeters of fabric due to the pattern’s complexity.
In Western society, most modern textiles of this quality are generally only found in museums.
Yet, Bhutanese weaving is more than a prized skill; it’s an offering of love.
Hingtham (roughly meaning, ‘heart-woven’) refers to those weavings intended for relatives and friends. Traditional gho or kira, the garments for Bhutanese men and women respectively, can take over a year to make. These garments are given as gifts at special occasions, to bring the wearer eternal peace and a brighter world.
The weaving is also strongly associated with Buddhism and spiritual devotion. Master weavers are highly respected and said to have noble minds, as repeating the thread cleanses your spirit. The Buddhist principle of non-violence prohibits harm to any living creature, so Bhutanese silk production involves wild silkworms that can escape before harvesting, ensuring their survival.
As I understood the details of the process, I was overwhelmed with respect and adoration for the women weavers. Their rich tapestries reminded me of the delicate thread that connects all of us to our ancestors, our cultural heritage, and the sacred rhythms of life. I felt the call to connect more people to the weavings while preserving their sacred knowledge from vanishing into the shadow of globalization.
Today, I am immensely grateful to collaborate with Bhutanese women weavers for Earth Wisdom Collection. Ancient knowledge and wisdom is at the root of every piece of clothing. My wish is for these embroidered garments to be passed down, lifting the spirit of families for generations to come.
What is your personal experience with ancestral wisdom? Share in the Comment Section below. And subscribe to receive new updates, so you can join more heart-centered conversations on future blog posts!