India, Leshemi Origins | ARTISANS' Sustainable Development Foundation, Luxury Thebvora Throw/Wall Hanging

Product name: Luxury Thebvora Throw/Wall Hanging

Type of product: Throw/Wall Hanging

Description (story of the item): 

This contemporary Thebvora is today's prestige cloth. Thebvora literally means  'nettle shawl' in the language of the Chakhesang Khuzhami tribe, where Thebvo means stinging nettle and Ra means shawl. It is made of handpicked hand spun and hand woven stinging nettle, on back strap looms, and adapted for a throw or wall hanging.

This complex design highlights the range of nettle’s natural texture and colour, and exemplifies the finest nettle craftsmanship. It is strip-woven with cotton, and sewn together with a decorative stitch. Locally, it is considered a luxury, as nettle weaving is increasingly rare. It is reserved for ceremonial occasions. 

Stinging nettle is foraged from the wild once a year, in early winter. In a long and labourious process, strips of nettle 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 fibre. It is repeatedly washed and sun-dried until the desired colour is attained. 

The fibre-to-fabric journey is entirely local and self-sustaining (although the cotton yarn, once local, is now sourced). 

This shawl is woven by indigenous women of the Chakhesang tribe in Nagaland, Northeast India, exclusively for ARTISANS’ Gallery. 

Care Instructions: Dry clean or wash by hand in cold water

Disclaimer: Please note that the natural colours of nettle textiles are unique and may vary a bit from item to item. 

Materials: Hand spun stinging nettle (Urtica Dioica) and cotton

Measurements / size: 114 cm X 178 cm

Availability / stock level: On Order (Dispatch time is 100 days).