𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐲𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

… 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔, 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆
𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆

By Tashi Tshewang

A natural dyeing, creative design, and entrepreneurship training programme is currently
underway at Nakeling School in Pemaling Gewog, Samtse Dzongkhag, aimed at equipping local
participants with practical skills to revive traditional textile practices while creating sustainable
livelihood opportunities. The programme is being conducted with technical support from the
Royal Textile Academy (RTA), in collaboration with the Pemaling Gewog Administration, as
part of ongoing efforts to promote environmentally friendly production methods and strengthen
community-based enterprises.

The training emphasizes the use of locally available natural materials for dye extraction,
combined with creative design techniques that enhance the aesthetic and market value of textile
products. Alongside hands-on technical skills, participants are introduced to basic
entrepreneurship concepts, including product development, pricing, and market readiness,
enabling them to explore income-generating opportunities through traditional crafts.

By integrating natural dyeing with design innovation and business skills, the programme seeks to
preserve indigenous knowledge passed down through generations while adapting it to
contemporary market demands. The initiative also encourages sustainable use of natural
resources, aligning cultural preservation with environmentally responsible practices.

The training is expected to have a lasting impact on the local community by building skills,
fostering creativity, and supporting self-employment, particularly among women and youth.
Upon completion, participants are anticipated to apply their learning to produce value-added
textile products that can contribute to household incomes while reinforcing Bhutan’s rich textile
heritage.

Neten Dorji, Assistant Resource and Entrepreneurship Officer, said, “Through the workshops on
natural dyeing and creative design, participants are learning a combination of traditional and
modern skills. They are preparing natural dyes from local plants, dyeing yarn with consistent
quality, creating new color combinations, improving weaving designs, and understanding basic
product development. They are also gaining knowledge in creative thinking, quality control,
costing, and market awareness, which are crucial in today’s changing textile market.”

Natural dyes and traditional weaving techniques are both environment-friendly and culturally
meaningful. Unlike chemical dyes, they do not pollute water or harm the health of weavers.
Using local plants supports biodiversity, and traditional techniques carry the stories, identity, and
heritage of Bhutanese communities. By continuing to use and improve these methods, the
programme preserves cultural knowledge while making it relevant for today’s market.

He added, “This training is also designed to create income opportunities. Participants learn to
turn weaving and dyeing into sellable products that meet market standards. They receive
guidance on pricing, quality, understanding customer needs, and simple business planning. By
forming clusters and working together, they can share resources, access markets more easily, and
move from small-scale home production to sustainable livelihoods and micro-enterprises, using
their traditional skills in a modern and profitable way.”

Pemaling Gup, Khem Raj Ghalley, said, “From earlier times, people in this community have
shown a strong interest in rearing sheep, and the tradition of weaving clothes using sheep wool
has been passed down through generations. Wool has played an important role in our everyday
lives, not only for household use but also as a means of income through the sale of woolen
products, while at the same time preserving our cultural heritage.”

He explained that weaving has traditionally been carried out from home, making it accessible,
particularly for women, and is widely believed to offer health benefits when woolen clothing is
worn, especially during the colder months. Through these practices, families have been able to
support their livelihoods, with income from woolen products helping to meet household needs
and support children’s education.

The Gup added, “Today, more women are coming forward to learn and strengthen these skills,
and there is also a growing market for woolen products. With the 15-day training programme, we
see strong opportunities for future income generation, which will not only help improve
household incomes but also ensure that this valuable tradition continues to thrive for generations
to come.”

Menuka Ghalley, a participant, said, “I gained a lot of knowledge about weaving and how to dye
yarn using local plants through this training. I learned not only the technical skills but also how
to maintain consistency and quality in my work. These are skills I had never fully understood
before. I will continue learning and make sure to pass this knowledge on to my children in the
future, so that our family tradition of weaving continues and adapts to modern markets.”

The training is helping participants like Menuka see traditional weaving and natural dyeing as
more than cultural practices; they are becoming viable avenues for economic independence and
entrepreneurship. By combining traditional skills with modern techniques, participants can create
products that appeal to contemporary markets, maintain quality, and generate sustainable income.
This approach empowers rural women to take control of their livelihoods while preserving
Bhutanese cultural heritage.

She said, “I am also inspired to start my own group-based business with other women in my
community. By working together, we can share resources, support each other, and reach more
customers. I want to create unique patterns and designs that stand out, so we can attract buyers
looking for eco-friendly, high-quality, and culturally meaningful products. This training has
given me the confidence to become an independent woman, earn through my weaving, and build
a sustainable future for myself and my family.”

Maya Devi Ghalley, a participant from the Royal Textile Academy, said, “I get motivated by my
interest in weaving and designing our wool products. This training helps us develop skills that
allow us to earn an income from our own homes. I have learned new techniques like natural
dyeing using our native plants, creative designing, and basic entrepreneurship. These are skills I
had never learned before and they have inspired me to improve my craft.”

The programme aims not only to preserve Bhutanese textile traditions but also to create
opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. By combining traditional weaving with modern skills
like natural dyeing, quality control, and product design, participants can enhance the value of
their products. This equips rural communities to produce high-quality, marketable items that can
reach bigger markets, generating income and supporting village-level economic development.

She said, “These new skills will help us make our wool products better and of higher quality,
which will make it easier to sell them in larger markets in the future. Ultimately, it will generate
income for our village community and encourage more women like me to become independent
while continuing our cultural traditions through weaving and design.”