weaving we are KAL

Ane Yangzom, Ane Tsering-Angmo, Ane Yang Dul, Ane Padma, Ane Tashi Chodon

The women of Karnak share their thoughts on shifting from their nomadic way of living to a settled life in the city.*

What are the most significant ways your life has changed since relocating to Karnak-ling?

Ane Padma Angmo: The main way is that nearly all the difficulties are gone. In Karnak there were many hardships,  such high snow and we had to climb through it up the mountains. Now that I am here there’s no longer the need to work so much, there are fewer challenges and much more ease.  I only miss the summertime. In the summertime I am so happy there but winter is so difficult. There are no problems in the summer there, these times I miss. 

Ane Tsering Angmo: Here, life is easier. There is no need to go through these tough, difficult things. Now I don’t need to do so many kinds of work - to tend to all the animals, to climb the mountain with all the snow, and also, to do all the food preparation by myself.

*a neighborhood outside the capital of Leh where many members of the Karnak community have resettled

How is the work with ‘we are KAL’ different to the way you were working before (when making was directly related to the needs of the family)?

Angtak: They are saying this work is so light compared to the work they did before. They are happy and always talking and have a good relationship with [Catherine and Angtak]. They know this work since the beginning so it feels very natural and comes easily to them. They are very happy, they say. It is always entertaining. Sometimes they fall asleep too, which is not intentional but sometimes the work is also very calming (they say, laughing).

What do you wish people knew and understood better about your culture and way of life?

Angtak: The women said they are happy about the visitors that come to see the work, and feel the admiration and interest in their process. Rather than wanting to share more about themselves, they wish they were better able to communicate and to welcome them and ask questions of their own. They are very curious about their way of life and wish they could ask them more questions. They would like to ask what visitors think and how they feel about their work. 

What are some beliefs and practices you wish your children would carry onward?

Ane Tsering Angmo: What my husband and I did, while practicing this nomadic life, we wanted to pass to our children but they were not interested to learn. So there was no choice. The tent making and the weaving, we wanted to share this with them but they did not care. Now my son is a truck driver and he has no time.

Ane Padma Angmo: I also dreamed my son would follow these nomadic practices but he doesn’t want to. He just does whatever he wants. I wish he would carry on these parts of our life but he makes his own choices and there’s not really any option.

Ane Yang Dul: For my son it is the same. He is a taxi driver and it is easy money and an easier life. The children are choosing the easier path and we are not able to influence the decisions they make any longer. 

If you could weave a message into the pieces you are making, what would it be?

Tashi Chodon: I would like to convey the process of the work that is going on here and the story of Karnak.  The population is slowly shrinking and all the work practices are also slowly becoming lost as less people are practicing them. We wish many people from all over the world would also help carry on the practices, little by little so that they will not disappear and the knowledge will continue.

* big thank you to Angtak for translating!