With the market running out of yarn stock triggered by the COVID-19 situation, yathra weavers in Bumthang whose main source of income is from the sale of yathra products are taking up farming to supplement household income.
In Chhumig Gewog, the yathra capital of Bumthang, most weavers are now resorting to agriculture as an alternative income source.
Sonam Lhamo from Zhurey Village said that with the borders sealed, they don’t get imported yarns any more. “The main source of income for us is from the sale of Yathra products but because of unavailability of yarns, our livelihoods have been affected so much,” she said.
There are also not many buyers since tourists were their main customers.
Gyem Zangmo from Zhurey Village said that her weaving schedule is becoming lighter by the day. But this also means her income is drying up.
“These days, income from sale of yathra has dropped by almost half as compared to previous years. Yarn is not available and there are no yathra buyers now,” she said. “I am using the few skeins I have in stock with me for weaving the last few rolls of yathra.”
She said that yathra fabrics woven out of sheep wool used to fetch good price in the past but due to lack of buyers, they don’t weave them any more.
Kuenzang Lhamo, the Tshogpa of Choongphel Chiwog said that almost every woman in her Chiwog depend on Yathra weaving for their livelihood.
“But these days they only weave when buyers place special orders for very intricate yathra patterns. In the past the fabrics used to be sold immediately even if the patterns were plain and simple ” she said.
She said that people have now started cultivating in lands that were once left fallow. “They are being supported by the Dzongkhag administration and Gewog office with land reclamation initiatives.”
Sonam Lhamo, a villager from Zhurey, said that they have cultivated more this year as the government said they will buy all the crops and vegetables they harvest.
Kipchu
