Once-famous Kachin traditional handloom businesses face extinction
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Htet Nadi/Htaik San(NP News)- Jan 15
A weaving entrepreneur from Myitkyina said he is concerned about the disappearance of the once famous traditional Kachin handloom industry.
Currently, despite the high prices of basic food items in Myitkyina Township due to transportation difficulties, the Kachin traditional handloom industry is unable to pay its workers higher wages, leading to a shortage of workers who are moving to other industries or working in other regions.
“The business used to do well in Myitkyina in the past. The handloom industry was very convenient, and it was also convenient for villagers. They came to Myitkyina for weaving. Although it is called Kachin wear from Myitkyina, all the weavers were Burmese from lower Myanmar. However, when they could no longer afford the high cost of living in Myitkyina, they returned to their regions. As a result, a labor shortage began to emerge,” he said.
Even large weaving mills that had a workforce of 100 three years ago now have only about 30 percent of their workforce remaining, resulting in a significant decline in the production of Kachin textiles compared to previous years.
In addition, there are concerns that the traditional Kachin hand-loom industry may disappear as the number of people working in the weaving industry is decreasing.
“Lately, there have been fewer looms. Roads are often closed, which has led to an increase in the price of raw materials for looms. A Kachin longyi used to cost around 7,000 kyats. Now it is 35,000 kyats. The price has increased. It is not easy to carry. The price of cotton has also increased. The disappearance of the loom industry is just happening here. It is still operating in the lower areas. The situation varies from region to region. Now, the fabrics woven in Myitkyina are genuine Kachin fabrics from Myitkyina. The quality is good,” he said. –