The remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has a long weaving tradition with textiles playing a central role in Bhutanese culture as art, clothing, in religious practice, social identity and exchange, as a commodity and form of payment, as wealth and an indicator of social status.

The ceremonial shoulder cloth or rachu are an essential part of Bhutanese women's outfits for special and formal occasions. Traditionally it was a wide multipurpose textile that could be used to secure a child or bundle to a women's back or as a head scarf to protect from the sun. Today a smaller less bulky textile is preferred and more convenient for women working outside the home in government offices. Made from woven silk or cotton the contemporary rachu are embellished with traditional and modern motifs and patterns worked by men using silk, acrylic and metallic yarns.

When visiting a temple or monastery women cover their left shoulder with the rachu. As a sign of respect women hold the ends of the rachu in front of their mouth when speaking to senior officials or receiving blessings from a lama-so their humble breath is not exhaled toward a superior.

Ceremonial shoulder cloth (rachu), womens, cotton / silk, designed and made by Diki Pemo, Nglamdung, Bhutan, 2002

Hand woven ceremonial shoulder cloth with red ground and four lengthways bands of rainbow stripes including blue, white, pink, green, yellow and orange. Alternating with the rainbow stripes are bands of yellow silk zigzag pattern with a central band of yellow geometric designs. Cloth features multicoloured tassels at each end.

Rachu woven by Diki Pemo from Nglamdung, the Lhuntshi Valley, North-Central Bhutan.

Bought by donor in 2002.

Donated by Alathea Vavasour through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2006

No marks

2006/148/8

197 mm