GOLDEN SILK - PART III

(...continue from PART II)

Royal Plowing Ceremony

At the same time as silk yarn production was being revived a support program was ser up for active weavers (around 200, in 2003 a lot of them were still breeders). Their view of economic development was limited – they had no technical support and depended on the good will of local small scale retailers – and the monetary value of their work was gradually declining and leading to the end of their activity. In 2003, these weavers received training in natural pigmentation dyeing and organized into village associations. These associations can fill large orders for Siem Reap and Phnom Penh clients and regularly display at fairs and exhibitions. One hundred and fifty newly trained weavers have strengthened the weaving activity in this region.

These weavers are among the only ones in Cambodia to produce 100% Cambodian silk, woven in Cambodia from yarn produced locally. Some weaving activity can also be found in provinces near Phnom Penh where 18,000 weaving looms, using only imported industrial yarn (mostly from Vietnam), are operating. This product mainly ends up in the local market for Cambodian customer. More and more similar “silk fabrics” are made with a large percentage of cotton yarn.

Be aware that in markets and shops in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, 80% of the silk that is presented as “ Made in Cambodia” is in reality imported from Vietnam, Thailand or China and was often woven by machines.

(to be continue...)