A female loom weaver shared with Narinjara that the traditional textile sector in Rakhine is facing challenges because there is a shortage of raw materials needed to produce finished goods.
Some Rakhine traditional loom weavers are residing in IDP camps, yet they are struggling to survive because of the scarcity of raw materials.
A few weavers reported encountering obstacles in acquiring the raw materials.
Daw Khin Aye Kyi, a woman who has been displaced, stated, "Previously, we could purchase all the raw materials we needed from the main market whenever necessary. Although we encountered challenges during shortages, it was never this severe. Now, we are struggling to obtain the necessary raw materials."
Different supplies such as cotton, hank (yarn), dyes, and colors are currently hard to find and quite costly for those in the weaving sector.
During the rainy season, there are fewer festivals, leading to a decline in clothing sales and financial difficulties for families.
"When the cost of raw materials is low and the prices of finished goods are high, it's easier for families to get by," she further remarked.
Daw Khin Aye Kyi, who began learning to weave from her mother at the age of 13, highlighted how crucial it is for Rakhine traditional weavers to have affordable raw materials to sustain their craft.
She also pointed out the shortage of workers in the sector, voicing her worries that the traditional weaving industry in Rakhine might vanish because of this shortfall.
Additionally, ongoing conflicts have complicated the process of securing raw materials, specifically due to transport blockades enforced by the military authorities.
