Exotic Suitcase

Add instant color and drama to your outfit, or use as a unique and colorful table runner. The geometrically patterned border reflects a centuries-old tradition in weaving patterns and designs. This scarf is made of hand-spun cotton woven with rayon to provide a subtle sheen.

Ethiopia is a East-African country that sits at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. This has produced a rich and diverse culture that remains unexplored by most westerners.

Although primarily an agricultural country, Ethiopia is also known for the high quality of its cotton, and for the beautiful textiles its weavers produce. For generations, Ethiopian weavers have made tibeb, a hand-woven textile, on traditional looms using centuries-old weaving patterns and designs. Traditionally, these textiles have been sold mostly within Ethiopia, in twice-weekly markets in the capital of Addis. In recent years, however, exports have grown as outsiders come to know the beauty and high quality of these items.

Weaving is a family activity in Ethiopia. Women gather the cotton, carrying huge loads on their heads, up a steep mountain back to their villages. They then spin it into thread. Traditionally, the men weave using pit-style looms set up outside the house. Often, weaving is the only source of a family’s income in this poor country.

Visitors to the Textile Market in Addis are richly rewarded with a diverse range of tibeb fabrics to choose from. We hope this scarf transports you to this locale, and reminds you of travels past or future.

Details

72” long x 8” wide
Hand-spun cotton woven with rayon to provide a subtle sheen