The remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has a long weaving tradition with textiles playing a central role in Bhutanese culture as art, clothing, in religious practice, social identity and exchange, as a commodity and form of payment, as wealth and an indicator of social status.

The ceremonial shoulder cloth or rachu are an essential part of Bhutanese women's outfits for special and formal occasions. Traditionally it was a wide multipurpose textile that could be used to secure a child or bundle to a women's back or as a head scarf to protect from the sun. Today a smaller less bulky textile is preferred and more convenient for women working outside the home in government offices. Made from woven silk or cotton the contemporary rachu are embellished with traditional and modern motifs and patterns worked by men using silk, acrylic and metallic yarns.

When visiting a temple or monastery women cover their left shoulder with the rachu. As a sign of respect women hold the ends of the rachu in front of their mouth when speaking to senior officials or receiving blessings from a lama-so their humble breath is not exhaled toward a superior.

Made in Mongar, Bhutan.

Bought by donor in 2000.

Ceremonial shoulder cloth (rachu), womens, cotton / silk, maker unknown, Mongar, Bhutan, 2000

Woven ceremonial shoulder cloth with red ground and folded lengthwise into three. The middle section is decorated with diamond shaped supplementary weft symbols (vajras/dorjes) of yellow and orange, with five green diamond shaped symbols interspersed along the length of the cloth. Cloth features blue stitching at each end before finishing with red tassels.

Made: Mongar, Bhutan; 2000


Owned: 2000

No marks

2006/148/9

2000

80 mm