Silk Weaving in Cambodia

Cambodian Silk

Cambodian silk is exquisitely beautiful.
Despite the civil war destroying much of the arts in Cambodia, silk weaving has started to make a come back. There are entire villages that are involved in silk weaving.

A few NGOs have helped villages establish sericulture in their communities as this was all but destroyed during Khmer rouge Regime.
Until more mulberry tree orchards are established, Cambodia needs to import their silk (most comes from Vietnam). It is dyed and then woven using often traditional regional designs.

'Cambodia Uncovered' includes visits to villages that weave silk - either on boat or day trips from Phnom Penh.
One can sometimes see the different steps of preparing the silk - wrapping the silk to make a pattern before over dyeing, the dyeing process and preparing warps. Observing the weaving process is astonishing as one realises how difficult it can be to use both hands and feet to get the pattern one wants.

Silk is available to purchase all thoughout Cambodia. Scarves of various sizes are readily available in all markets. For those who are dressmakers there is an abundance of colours and textures to choose from. For those who want clothes made in Cambodia, there are plenty of tailors who can make the item of your choice

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