Words and Photos by Supei Ho, originally published at The Textile Atlas The Blue Hmong are one of 54 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. A subgroup of the Miao people, the majority of whom live in China, the Blue Hmong are renowned for their decorative indigo Batik textiles that are often adorned with patchwork, cross-stitch and applique. Traditional textile making is a domestic affair and a source of supplementary income for these families, besides agriculture and farming. Hmong men perform most of the physically demanding work such as felling trees, constructing houses and transporting the harvest; whereas Hmong women and older girls hold the responsibility for food preparation, household chores,…
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Batik!
I dug out this piece of batik from my pile of Indian fabrics, and it took me back to its origin – a tiny crumbling building nestled in the warren of narrow streets of the majestic city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. While the building seemed modest from the outside, it was home to the internationally renowned Batik Art Research and Training Institute (BARTI), founded and run by Dr Abdul Majeed. Dr Majeed has taught under-privileged women the craft of batik as a way to support themselves economically for the past four decades. The charismatic Dr Majeed told us the history of this craft – thought to be 2000 years old,…
