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FIWNA Successfully Conducts 6th Virtual Interaction on Gurung Women’s Wool Weaving Skills and Cultural Significance
The Federation of Indigenous Women of Nepal in America (FIWNA) successfully conducted its sixth virtual interaction session, focusing on the topic: “Tamuse (Gurung Women) Skills on Sheep Wool and Their Significance in Tamu Traditions.”
The session featured a compelling presentation by Anita Gurung, a prominent Indigenous activist, journalist, researcher, and leading voice among Indigenous women. Gurung highlighted the traditional wool-making practices of Gurung women—tracing the journey from sheep rearing to thread preparation and the crafting of final woolen products. She further emphasized the deep economic, cultural, and traditional significance of these practices within the Tamu (Gurung) community.
Gurung also expressed concern over the rapid decline of this heritage skill, citing globalization and climate change as key factors. The decreasing number of sheep, she noted, has directly impacted the production of traditional woolen items such as radi and pakhi, putting this valuable knowledge at risk of extinction.
The event drew participation from scholars, students, researchers, and activists from various Indigenous communities. Participants from the Limbu community voiced that wool weaving traditions are not unique to the Gurung people but are also a significant part of the Limbu heritage and other Indigenous cultures of Nepal.
Professor Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, FIWNA’s mentor and longtime advocate for Indigenous rights, offered his expert remarks. He encouraged further expansion of the research before publication and reminded participants of the crucial need to recognize, preserve, and promote Indigenous skills and rights.
The session was moderated by Indira Chongbang, President of FIWNA, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the presenter and all attendees. She reiterated FIWNA’s commitment to raising awareness, preserving Indigenous knowledge systems, and promoting dialogue on pressing Indigenous issues through these ongoing virtual sessions.
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