Dynamics of Weaving Industries in Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region

Abstract

In Myanmar, the garment industry started from the weaving. In weaving the hand loom was started as a folk art and the Saunders Weaving and Vocational Institute was established by Mr. L H Saunders in 1914. In 1954, the power looms were introduced by this institute but the local people were not interested in power looms. Nowadays, local people are trying to develop their weaving industries with power looms. This research aims at pointing out the dynamics of weaving industry and describing the main factors influencing these changes. The study site is Amarapura Township of Mandalay Region. Data were collected by qualitative research method. The research tools are key informant interview, in-depth interview and participant observation. Weaving industry is one of the main professions of the Amarapura people and about 80% of the people depend on weaving and other works related to the weaving industries such as dyeing, chichagin, yetphaukgin, chapope, cloth selling, and so on. After 1993 the weaving of Amarapura became popular and well-known in Myanmar because one of the most famous politicians wears the sarong woven in Amarapura while canvassing for votes in the national election. The design of the sarong was known as "Aung San Suu Kyi achei" and it was very much known to every woman. The runners of the weaving industries extended their business and they used mostly power loom for mass production. On the other hand, it is facing many difficulties such as scarcity of labour, absence of waste water system, lack of demands from abroad, etc.