Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Villages of Dhaneti and Aina Mafiel
Driver, Desheret, headed in another direction after lunch, towards Dhaneti, an Ahir vil-
lage. A women's cooperative was in charge of selling their embroidery, but nothing interes-
ted us. Instead, we walked around the village to watch a group of women working on their
sewing. It's not easy for them to take care of houses, children, cook and still find time to
embroider, hoping to supplement their income.
One last village for the day, Aina Mafiel known for its Double Ikat. Double Ikat is when
both warp and the weft are dyed
before
stringing on the loom. "Ikat" literally translates
to "tied," and that is what happens. The ink is tied to both threads where it bleeds onto a
neighboring area, creating cloth with distinctive, subtle patterns. Just one man, with his wife,
showed us how they loom Double Ikat out of silk. Beautiful saris and scarfs for sale. I would
have gladly bought one but considering I sit in front of a computer all day in sweatpants,
where would I wear it?
