| Ilto Indalay
My work is weaving. I take my woven things to the market to sell. First, I buy my weaving materials from the market. Next, I thread the warp through the harness and then through the reed. After doing that, I am ready to weave. I usually finish weaving a netala in two days. After finishing the netala, I cut it from the loom and take it to the market. If I sell the netala, I will use some of that money to buy more weaving materials, such as the thread for the warp and thread for the weft and other thread from the market. The remainder of the money I will use to buy food for my family. This is how I make my living. I spend a good deal of time weaving most days but the most important thing that I do is farm. I have many children to feed and weaving helps to bring some extra money to the family. My wife, Sinke Seene, helps me by carding and spinning the cotton thread that I use to make my netala. I am now weaving a netala with a loomoot border.[3] I choose the colors for the loomoot of the netalas which will be sold at the market. I like the colors used in a tibeb border for the netala, but I don't know how to make the tibeb yet.4 When I make a netala or gabi I try to make it tight-to make sure the thread has been beaten close together without any gaps. This is the sign of a well-woven cloth. |
I was born here in Doko Losha about 45 years ago. I have six children, one daughter and five sons. My two younger sons are not old enough to weave but I will teach them when they are. I started weaving 20 years ago. I learned how to weave from my father, Indalay Inshino. He would let me practice on his loom. I weave the netala, gabi, and buluko.[