This contemporary Thebvora is a today's prestige cloth. Thebvora literally translates to 'nettle shawl' in the language of the Chakhesang Khuzhami tribe, where Thebvo means stinging nettle and Ra means shawl. This complex design celebrates the natural range of nettle texture and colour, and exemplifies the finest nettle craftsmanship. Locally, it is considered a luxury, as nettle weaving is increasingly rare. It is reserved for auspicious occasions.

This is a contemporary local luxury, designed and woven by indigenous women of the Chakhesang tribe in remote Naga villages in the mountains of Northeast India. It is made of hand-picked hand spun and hand woven stinging nettle, on back strap looms. The size is adapted to a throw.

Stinging nettle is foraged from the wild once a year, in early winter. In a long and laborious process, strips of nettle bast fibre (stripped off the stalks), are retted, dried, thigh-reeled into twine, and hand-spun using a drop spindle. The yarn is then soaked in a coarse local rice broth, which naturally bleaches and softens the fiber. It is repeatedly soaked and sun-dried until the desired tone is attained. It is woven on backstrap looms.The flexibility of the portable loom enables women to work from their own home. The fiber-to-fabric journey is entirely local and self-sustaining (although the cotton yarn, once local, is now sourced). The yarn is then warped and prepared for the back-strap loom alternating cotton yarn in the warp and weft. This complex weave uses grades of nettle, together with cotton in the warp and weft to create stripes.. Strips are joined together with a decorative blanket stitch. 

Disclaimer and Care Instructions: Please note that the natural colors of nettle textiles are unique and may vary a bit from item to item. Wash nettle fabrics by hand in coldwater, using ecological laundry products. Nettle softens with washing. 

Maker: Kekuwe-ü Lomi

Size: 120 cm X 170 cm

Fabric: Hand spun stinging nettle (Urtica Dioica), unbleached cotton

These items are made to order.

Available to dispatch in 60 days