“Lady of Inle Lake”
Inle Lake, Myanmar. November 2019 (12 photos)
This is Part 11 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 14 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
I spent a couple of days touring Inle Lake and nearby Samkar Lake on a longtail boat. Inle lake ranges from about a 2 metre depth in the dry season to a 5 metre depth in the wet season and a feature of the lake is that many villages are built on stilts over the water. One of my stops was at a fabric weaving complex. Initially the idea didn’t thrill me but to be honest I was anticipating it would only be a quick visit to the shop, to keep my guide happy, and then off to see something more interesting. But I’m happy to admit the visit to Mya Setkyar Pure Silk Fabrics was a highlight of my day. After a brief introductory tour, I had the freedom to wander around, meeting the lovely ladies of Inle Lake. They were very friendly and had no problem with me wandering around taking their photos for an hour or so.
“Mya Setkyar Pure Silk Fabrics”
One of the buildings of the complex. Getting around involves walking on wooden bridges connecting the various buildings. There is no dry land at all near the complex. The workers commute via boat. Several bring their children to work.
“Lotus fibres”
Lotus is found in abundance in the area, and as demonstrated above the locals extract fibres from the lotus flower stems, and spin it to make a luxury fibre, similar to silk. Of course, they also have other fabrics at the complex to make their various designs.
“Fanning the fire”
All day long, this lady fans an open fire, boiling raw materials in various coloured dyes.
“Colours of Myanmar”
“Let the spinning wheel spin”
I doubt I could sit like that working all day, not even a chair to sit on.
“A room of looms”
“Weaving”
“Concentration”
“The token male”
Well, my visit was just after lunch.
“Ladies of Inle Lake”
These ladies were enjoying a tea break. I took several photos of this group, including some whilst lying on the floor. There was a lot of smiling and laughing that afternoon.
“Hands”
“Perhaps nothing is so fraught with significance as the human hand.” …Jane Addams.
…..
This is Part 11 of my posts about Myanmar, and Part 14 of my posts about my near month-long visit to Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore in November 2019.
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera 
Simply “who”! What pictures!
It should be “Wow!”, not “who”. π
No problem. The spellchecker strikes again! π
Thank you so much.
Great captures as always Lignum Draco!!!
Thank you very much.
Yes, those hands show it all. It looks so colorful in the pictures, but the working conditions are probably anything but.
Not ideal conditions but they were all proud of their jobs and I guess, happy to be employed. I’m glad we shared some laughs that day.
I guess they are.
Yep.
These photos are much appreciated. I learned a lot and am amazed at how some things come to be.
Thank you. It’s a very different life and lifestyle over there.
Yes it is. I watch videos of a family sponsoring an American and he shows how the village works together.
That’s interesting. We easily become isolated in our big cities, whereas villagers thrive on community supporting and depending upon one another.
this is a magical series, Lignum!! very up close and personal, such lovely details… I’ve never before heard of lotus fiber weaving… you’ve told the story with so much grace and consideration for their work… love those hands, working hands are beautiful!!
Thank you very much, Alex. It was very nice of them to let me wander around freely. Plenty of smiles that day. I’d never heard of or seen lotus fibre weaving before either.
Wow I never knew you could make fabric from Lotus fibres!
What a nice surprise to have the obligatory shopping stop turn into a highlight of the tour. I suspect that may have been you catching a quick nap.π Your photos are very peaceful, especially the hands. Humility and happiness.
Indeed, that would be a sneaky selfie if that were me taking a nap. π π π Thanks, Julie. The welcome from the ladies at the weaving centre was very warm and friendly. It was a fascinating look at life there.
Lotus cloth? Who knew! Did you bring any back with you? And great shots as always.
I’d never heard of it before but with an abundance of raw material around them, it makes sense to use it. Yes, purchase made as a gift – unique and it supports them.
Fascinating, Lignum. Seeing “ladies of ____” doesn’t immediately bring this to mind, so I was pleasantly surprised. π
Stay well.
janet
Thanks, Janet. As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover, and that was reinforced to me when I visited there and wandered around.
A room of looms is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. Thank you.
Isn’t it lovely when you don’t expect someplace to be wonderful and it is!!!
Indeed, it’s a great surprise when it happens, whether in everyday life or when travelling. It really makes one’s day.
Beautifully told and photographed, as usual. Thank you for sharing your trip.
Thank you. It’s my pleasure to share it with you. The people were so very warm and friendly.
This does look like an interesting place to visit. I really like the way you have processed these images, almost like a jewel tone but in a realistic way.
Thank you very much. The basic colour palette was there already. Burmese women tend to wear colourful clothing. The lighting helped and I just gave the photos a nudge. π
It’s nice when things work out almost ready to go straight out of the camera.
For sure. I don’t indulge in the fine art style of photography, so I’m happy if my editing of colour photos takes less than 30 seconds.
Wonderful portraits, Draco! I can imagine getting locked into some of those positions and not being able to get up again π¦ π¦
Thanks, Jo. Yep, I hear you about getting locked in. π The elderly in SE Asia often seem more spritely and nimble than back home.
Necessity I suspect, Draco ππ
True. Modern conveniences spoil us in more ways than one.
Thank you so much for this amazing report. I love the photos of spinning wheel and concentration, they are so respectful.
Thank you! I was very grateful they allowed me to share some time with them.
Her hands are an artwork of time so beautiful
Indeed, they’re full of character and life.
So many wonderful memories come flooding back while looking at your lovely photos. Just what I’ve needed today!
Yes, I recall you spent a lot of time in this part of the country. I loved every moment there.
I think craftsmanship of that nature would be quite interesting to see in person, and the openness of your ladies could only help. I bet if the thread of the lotus is as fine as silk, it would take forever to weave something. Thanks for the visit.
Thank you. Indeed, it was fascinating to see the work that goes into producing the finished product. Every thread from the lotus has to be obtained by hand as the lady demonstrated.
A wonderful post and portraits! Each face and photo tells a story. Love all the colors.
Thank you very much, Denise. I wish I could have spoken directly with them, but there were plenty of smiles anyway.
Really enjoyed pouring over your photos again, Draco. There’s something hypnotic about weaving and working at the loom … the rhythmn in such artwork. And a bit of magic there too, in the creation of those colours and patterns. Fascinating. Thanks M.
Thanks, Meg. Yes, it was an interesting visit, to see the whole process on one site, entirely manual. Not even a template pattern for the patterns they were weaving. The finished products were very beautiful.
Wonderful images Mr Draco … people, life and colours! Thanks for taking me with you ..
The last photo is my favourite
Thanks, Julie. Those hands tell their own story.
And the token male is blissfully asleep. Aren’t we predictable?!
It’s almost a clichΓ©, isn’t it? Hilarious though. π π π
The charming ladies keep their workspaces very neat. Wonderful images!
Must be part of their job description. π π π
Thanks.
Absolutely wonderful portraits with a great mood, Draco. I was ready to set off to Myanmar a few years ago and the nothing was the same.
Thank you, Dina. It’s a shame you weren’t able to go. I wish I’d gone a few years earlier as well.
Such a wonderful and uplifting post Lignum. Best wishes
Thank you very much. They were very welcoming.