100% Silk Shawl Hand-Woven in Ethiopia

100% Silk Shawl Hand-Woven in Ethiopia

Description & Details

This soft and richly textured silk shawl is entirely hand-made in Ethiopia. It is crafted from locally made wild silk (a combination of Eri and Mulberry silk). Natural dyes - many found in the plants and soils of Ethiopia - create vibrant yet delicate colours. The olive colour is made with onion skins and the denim colour with indigo. Konso and Dorze weavers, who are amongst the most skilled in the country, apply their knowledge of the loom, patience and attention to detail to every thread.

Created in 2004, Sabahar aims to preserve and celebrate Ethiopia's ancient craft of hand loom weaving. The company offers fair and stable employment opportunities and extensive trainings for craftsmen to apply their traditional skills to modern fresh designs.

Composition & Colour

100% natural silk; naturally dyed.
Available in 3 colours: Off-White, Denim and Olive

Size

70cm x 200cm

Care

Hand wash with mild soap, hang dry in the shade. Iron. Do not bleach.

How it is made

A Spacious, Airy Atelier

Situated in the middle of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia's bustling capital city, Sabahar's airy and spacious atelier is located in a haven of green. It is here that the weavers, spinners, dyers and finishers make the intricate hand-woven cotton and silk textiles.
Spinning the Cotton

Cotton production has been a central component of rural and urban Ethiopian life for centuries. Sabahar uses cotton grown in lower elevation areas that is spun on drop spindles by their crafts(wo)men's talented hands. Hand spun cotton is very textured and soft and makes each product unique.
Dyeing the Threads

Sabahar only uses environmentally friendly dyes for its cotton, such as coffee, onionskin, tea, safflower, marigold and cochineal. To further minimize its environmental footprint, Sabahar has also installed a sophisticated water recycling and purification system.
Hand Weaving the Cotton

Hand weaving has been a way of life for centuries in Ethiopia and almost all textiles are still made on hand looms. The art of weaving is passed down from father to son, thus almost all weavers in Ethiopia are men. The techniques have not changed much for centuries but Sabahar has worked on introducing new patterns, colours and designs.
A Rich Yet Dying Heritage

Sabahar works primarily with weavers from the Konso and Dorze ethnic groups that have the reputation of being the most skilled weavers. Generally, weavers remain a quite marginalized group and most still only work in the informal sector. As such, the art of weaving is disappearing as the newer generation is choosing to leave the trade.
Finishing the Product

Two small yet dedicated teams of women ensure the finishing of each piece. One group of women make the fringes, a time-intensive process of twisting and knotting the end threads. And another group sews, cuts the ends of the fringes and quality checks each piece.