(Those are the only two original designs of Krama Thleah)
KRAMA BASETH OR KRAMA THLEAH
Krama =
checked scarf
Thleah = a
plant for dyeing
Baseth = an impoverished district of Kampong Speu province
Baseth = an impoverished district of Kampong Speu province
Apart from silks, we also promote the hand-made Thleah
cotton checked scarf (locally known as Krama Thleah or Krama
Baseth naming after the district).
Baseth villagers and weavers normally dyed their
cotton Krama in Thleah. For that reason, the Krama is
popularly known as Krma Thleah [Kram dyed in Thleah]. And
since only villagers of Baseth weaved and dyed their cotton Krama
in Thleah, their district is named after the Krama: Krama
Baseth in Khmer or Baseth Krama in English.
Inspired by the very distinctiveness and uncommon
larger size of this Krama [size: 92cm x 1.9m, normal Khmer checked
scarf is 60cm x 1.85m or smaller], five years ago, we visited Baseth district
of Kampong Speu. It was also part of our fact finding mission about this
weaving tradition.
At first we were intrigued to talk to a few weavers
who were proud to talk to us about their craft. Though their village stands among
the most impoverished of Cambodia and they are poor and desperate, their skills
in making Krama Thleah is uniquely rich and very traditional.
Nonetheless, we were brokenhearted to the news
that even though people kept weaving Krama Thleah no one revived the
tradition in dyeing their Krama in Thleah anymore. They abandoned the natural
dyes and chose to dye their craft in chemicals instead. They said the latter
was less time consuming, more convenient, easy, and cheap. It was morally improper to put blame on them for
their ignorance of the significant impact of cultural loss resulted from the
abandonment of this custom. They were just too vulnerable, frustrated and
helpless.
HERE WE ARE AGAIN TO REVIVE KRAMA THLEAH
HERE WE ARE AGAIN TO REVIVE KRAMA THLEAH
Now we are working with them to make the naturally
dyed Krama Thleah. And they are encouraged to revive the tradition. They
are more creative. We make more Krama Thleah like designs.
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